Megyn Kelly (46) is dumping FOX News (StarSat 261) and moving to NBC News in a new multi-million dollar contract with her last appearance on FOX News in her show The Kelly File that will be this Friday, 6 January 2017.
Megyn Kelly will get a hourlong daytime weekday show from NBC News, as well as a Sunday night prime time slot. The daytime show won't be like the traditional American talk shows.
As with daily and weekly programming like NBC Nightly News, Meet the Press, CNBC and MSNBC (StarSat 263) that's broadcast in South Africa, isn't a given that South African viewers will now get to see Megyn Kelly in the coming year, although she won't be reporting specifically for and appear on MSNBC.
Megyn Kelly will be a part of NBC News' breaking news coverage, and do American political and special events coverage.
In April 2016 Megyn Kelly said that what she wants to do is "a little Charlie Rose, a little Oprah, and a little me all together".
After 12 years at FOX News Megyn Kelly just wants to get away following the sexual harassment scandal of former FOX News boss Roger Ailes, although Rupert Murdoch and his sons, James and Lachlan who now run FOX News and 21st Century Fox, tried their best to persuade her to stay.
On Facebook Megyn Kelly wrote "while I will greatly miss my colleagues at Fox, I am delighted to be joining the NBC News family and taking on a new challenge".
"I remain deeply grateful to Fox News, to Rupert, Lachlan and James Murdoch, and especially to all of the FNC viewers, who have taught me so much about what really matters."
The announcement of Megyn Kelly's departure caught FOX News off guard who had no immediate statement of its own.
Later Rupert Murdoch issued a statement saying "We thank Megyn Kelly for her 12 years of contributions to Fox News. We hope she enjoys tremendous success in her career and wish her and her family all the best."
On Tuesday night's show of The Kelly File on FOX News (StarSat 261) Megyn Kelly at the end closed her show saying "Finally tonight a personal and professional note from me to you. After more than a dozen years at FOX News, I have decided to pursue a new challenge. This was a tough decision for me because I love this show, our staff, my crew, my colleagues here at Fox, and you. All of you."
"I will be leaving Fox News at the week's end and starting a new adventure, joining the journalists at NBC News who I deeply admire. I will be doing a daytime show there as well as a Sunday night newsmagazine, and you'll also see me there on the big nights, for politics and such."
"I am very grateful to NBC for this opportunity and I am deeply thankful to Fox News for the wonderful 12 years I have had here."
In a staff email, NBCUniversal News group chairman Andrew Lack told workers - many caught by surprise by the announcement - that he's "pleased to share some good news with you. Later this year, Megyn Kelly will join NBC News."
"Below is the full announcement that will go out to press momentarily. But in short, she’ll anchor two programs: a new hour-long daily daytime news program and a Sunday prime time news magazine."
"Megyn is an exceptional journalist and news anchor, who has had an extraordinary career. She’s demonstrated tremendous skill and poise, and we’re lucky to have her. I know she'll be a fantastic colleague; please join me in welcoming her to NBC News.
In a statement from NBC News, NBC News says "Megyn Kelly will become anchor of a new one hour daytime program that she will develop closely with NBC News colleagues."
"The show will air Monday through Friday at a time to be announced in the coming months. As part of the multi-year agreement, Kelly will also anchor a new Sunday evening news magazine show and will become an important contributor to NBC's breaking news coverage as well as the network's political and special events coverage."
In the statement Andrew Lack says "Megyn Kelly is an exceptional journalist and news anchor, who has had an extraordinary career. She's demonstrated tremendous skill and poise, and we're lucky to have her."
