by Thinus Ferreira
The American TV news anchor Shepard Smith who abruptly left FOX News (StarSat 261) in October 2019 is joining CNBC from 13 July where he will be anchoring The News with Shepard Smith timeslot on weekdays, starting later this year.
It's not yet clear whether The News with Shepard Smith will be broadcast in South Africa and Africa on CNBC Africa (DStv 410) but if it is, it will be on at 01:00 in the mornings South African time, following The NBC Night News with Lester Holt at 00:30.
The News with Shepard Smith will be a general news show on the TV financial news channel that Shepard Smith says will be "fact-based, hour-long evening news program with the mission to cut through the static to deliver facts, in context and with perspective".
The show will serve as "the perfect bridge between CNBC's daytime investor-focused news programming and the network's aspirational business-oriented entertainment programs in primetime".
Shepard Smith will work from CNBC's headquarters in Engelwood Cliffs, New Jersey.
Shepard Smith will serve as CNBC's chief general news anchor and chief breaking general news anchor, as well as the executive producer of The News with Shepard Smith.
"Information is coming at us from every direction. If we're not careful, life-altering decisions will be made based on half-truth, rumour, misdirection or worse," says Mark Hoffman, CNBC chairperson, in a statement announcing Shepard Smith's addition.
Smith Shepard says in the statement that "Gathering and reporting the news has been my life’s work. I am honoured to continue to pursue the truth, both for CNBC’s loyal viewers and for those who have been following my reporting for decades in good times and in bad".
"Mark Hoffman presented me with CNBC’s vision for a fact-based, hour-long evening news program with the mission to cut through the static to deliver facts, in context and with perspective."
"I know I found a great home for my newscast. I am excited to be working with the exceptional talent at CNBC and eager to build a team focused on uncovering the news behind the headlines."
ALSO READ: Original FOX News anchor Shepard Smith shocks and abruptly quits after 23 years with the American channel.
