A revolving door of cable news show hosts continued spinning Thursday as Tucker Carlson got a new gig at Fox News, while former colleague Greta Van Sustern got a new home at MSNBC.
Two days after Megyn Kelly announced she was leaving a popular Fox perch for NBC News, Fox moved quickly and promoted Carlson to her prime-time spot. That leaves its primary evening line-up resembling an all-white male media country club, at least during its most-watched time periods.
Van Susteren left Fox last year amid what was said to be partial chagrin over allegations of then-Fox boss Roger Ailes’ treatment of women. The attorney-turned-cable pundit-turned show host had originally come from CNN. Now she will have spun a cable trifecta.
She was replaced at 7 p.m. eastern by Carlson. Now she’ll get an hour at 6 p.m. Eastern, to be called, “For the Record” and based in Washington, where she lives.
In a message to staff, MSNBC chief Phil Griffin said, “As you all know, Greta is a true pro with a proven record of tough journalism. Her broad range of experience and sharp news judgment will be of great value to MSNBC as we build on our momentum going into a new year and a new administration.”
Carlson will get Kelly’s 9 p.m. Eastern period, where Kelly oversaw a sharp rise in audience in recent years. He will be succeeded in the 7 p.m. slot by Martha MacCallum.
That would appear to leave CNN’s Don Lemon as the lone non-white cable TV news host in prime time.