Well, that was quick. Fox News Channel has named Tucker Carlson anchor for the network’s coveted 9 p.m. ET time slot, replacing Megyn Kelly, who is moving to NBC News. The final episode of The Kelly File airs on Friday, and Carlson will take over the 9 p.m. hour the following Monday, January 9th. The show will keep the Tucker Carlson Tonight name, and will broadcast live from the network’s Washington D.C. bureau.
So who will take the 7 p.m. ET slot? Martha MacCallum. The Fox News vet and co-anchor of America’s Newsroom will host a new news program called The First 100 Days. Based in New York, the show will chronicle the beginning of the new administration and run through Pres.-elect Trump’s first 100 days in office. MacCallum recently signed a multi-year deal to remain with FNC.
In commenting on the new schedule, executive chairman of 21st Century Fox and executive chairman of Fox News Rupert Murdoch said, “In less than two months, Tucker has taken cable news by storm with his spirited interviews and consistently strong performance. Viewers have overwhelmingly responded to the show and we look forward to him being a part of Fox News’ powerful primetime line-up.”
Carlson’s move to 9 p.m. ET makes sense. Since its November 2016 debut, Tucker Carlson Tonight has provided the network a significant ratings boost in the 7 p.m. hour, posting double-digit ratings increases from the same time period last year, and often building on its lead-in in the all-important A25-54 news demo. In fact, TCT finished December as the No. 2 cable news program in the A25-54 demo only behind The Factor.
Congratulations to my friend @TuckerCarlson on moving to the 9p slot at Fox! This is a great decision by FNC & I will be cheering him on!
— Megyn Kelly (@megynkelly) January 5, 2017
Another plus for the newly-minted 9 p.m. host is that he gets to remain in Washington D.C., where his family resides. When we spoke to Carlson last month, he said that after spending 4 years working in New York on the weekends, being back in D.C. allows him to “wake up next to my wife and spaniels every morning. It is a gift…I know everyone hates Washington, but I love Washington!”
MacCallum, who has been with Fox News since 2004, moves to 7 p.m. ET after serving as co-anchor for America’s Newsroom alongside Bill Hemmer since 2010. The program recently delivered its most-watched year, according to Nielsen Research.
While MacCallum anchors The First 100 Days, Shannon Bream will co-anchor America’s Newsroom with Hemmer. Bream currently serves as the FNC’s Supreme Court reporter and anchors the Sunday afternoon America’s News Headquarters.
And congrats to the always classy @marthamaccallum on moving to the 7p! She’s amazing & will shine at any hour.
— Megyn Kelly (@megynkelly) January 5, 2017