Fox News Channel host Megyn Kelly has had a high-profile year. Her questioning of Donald Trump during the first Republican primary debate led to months of taunts from the man who became the GOP nominee, leading to a prime-time interview with Trump on Fox Television.
Kelly is set to co-anchor Election Night coverage on Fox, and will appear as guest co-host on Live with Kelly Ripa the following morning. Her memoir, Settle for More, will be published November 15.
The Wall Street Journal reports this morning Kelly is seeking a multi-million dollar boost to her salary in negotiations with Fox News over a new contract:
For the final year of her current deal, Ms. Kelly is set to receive about $15 million, people familiar with the matter said. The people said she is seeking an average annual salary north of $20 million for her next contract—which would put her on par with Fox host Bill O’Reilly.
How are the negotiations going? The WSJ quotes Rupert Murdoch, who says he hopes to get a new deal with Kelly completed “very soon,” but conceded, “it’s up to her.” Mr. Murdoch is described as being updated on talks “every minute of the day.” He also told his paper Fox News has “a deep bench of talent, many of whom would give their right arm for (Kelly’s) spot.”
The Kelly File remains one of the most-watched programs in cable news, ranking second in total viewers behind The O’Reilly Factor in September. The WSJ reports CNN and ABC News as potential rivals for Kelly, though neither network would comment.