TVSpy
After 28 years, John Stossel, anchor, libertarian, and consumer advocate, is leaving ABC. The cornerstone of ABC’s “20/20” who rose to prominence with his “Give Me a Break” watchdog reports is moving to Fox where he will have a weekly one-hour program on the Fox Business Network and make frequent appearances on the Fox News Channel.
Stossel’s new show on Fox Business (titled simply “Stossel”) will reportedly expand on the journalist’s interest in personal freedom and consumer liberty. In a blog post, Stossel said of his new job, “I want to dig into the meaning of the words ‘liberty’ and ‘limited government.’ ABC enabled me to do some of that, but Fox offers me more airtime and a new challenge.”
This is the second major signing for the two-year-old Fox Business Network in as many weeks. Last week FBN signed controversial talk show host Don Imus to a deal in which the network would simulcast his popular morning radio show.
FBN launched in October of 2007, setting out to challenge CNBC for cable business news supremecy. Day-to-day operations for the network are run by Kevin Magee, executive vice president of Fox News. The most notable member of the FBN team up until two weeks ago was business news veteran Neil Cavuto who hosts a daily show titled “Your World” and also manages content and news coverage for the network.
In making the announcement, Magee said, “John Stossel is one of the most talented and thought-provoking journalists in the field and we are extremely excited to welcome him to the FOX Business team.” Stossel will begin work for FBN in October and his show is expected to debut sometime in the fourth quarter.