When prominent television personalities leave major cable news networks, their career trajectories rarely follow a straight line. The transition from a nightly studio desk to post-network life reveals how the media industry has shifted away from traditional broadcasting toward independent digital ecosystems. Understanding where former Fox News anchors go offers a clear window into modern media economics, personal branding, and audience fragmentation.
High-profile departures from Fox News typically fall into three distinct categories: retirement, migration to competing cable or streaming networks, and the pivot to independent digital platforms. While legacy media once held a monopoly on audience reach, today's digital landscape allows ousted or departing anchors to retain massive followings without network backing. Let's look at how prominent figures navigated life after leaving the network and what their moves mean for the future of broadcast journalism.
The Pivot to Independent Streaming and Podcasts
The most dramatic shift in post-network career paths is the move toward independent digital distribution. Rather than signing with another legacy network, several high-profile former Fox News figures built direct-to-consumer digital empires.
Tucker Carlson
After parting ways with Fox News in April 2023, Tucker Carlson bypassed traditional television altogether. He launched a digital show initially hosted on X (formerly Twitter) before expanding into a dedicated subscription platform, the Tucker Carlson Network. By leveraging a massive pre-existing audience, Carlson maintained high viewership numbers for long-form interviews and commentary specials without traditional advertising constraints. This model demonstrates how top-tier talent can monetize personal brand equity directly through digital subscriptions and independent sponsorships.
Megyn Kelly
Megyn Kelly left Fox News in 2017 for a brief stint at NBC News before pivoting entirely to independent digital media. She launched The Megyn Kelly Show, a daily podcast and talk show that later secured distribution through SiriusXM. Kelly's transition highlights a viable blueprint for cable news veterans: combining audio-first podcasting with robust video distribution on YouTube. This approach provides creative control, avoids network-imposed editorial restrictions, and diversifies revenue streams across subscriptions, ads, and live events.
Traditional Network Switches and Cable Migrations
Not every anchor abandons traditional television. Some prominent names choose to test the waters at rival networks, yielding mixed results as viewing habits shift away from standard cable packages.
Chris Wallace
In December 2021, veteran anchor Chris Wallace shocked the media world by leaving Fox News after 18 years to join CNN. Wallace initially hosted a show on the short-lived streaming service CNN+ before transitioning to CNN's linear channel and digital platforms. After his three-year contract concluded, Wallace announced plans to explore independent digital formats, noting that traditional 24-hour cable pacing no longer aligned with his preferred interview style. His journey underscores the friction experienced by traditional journalists operating within highly polarized cable environments.
Shepard Smith
Shepard Smith spent more than two decades at Fox News before departing in 2019. He joined CNBC the following year to anchor a general evening newscast, The News with Shepard Smith. Although CNBC later canceled the program due to ratings pressures within the competitive evening hour slot, Smith remained with the network as a chief general news anchor. His path illustrates the challenges traditional straight-news broadcasters face when trying to capture a distinct audience share on business-oriented networks.
Alternative Media and Specialized Digital Ventures
Other former anchors use their network experience to launch niche digital platforms, non-profit initiatives, or pivot into alternate entrepreneurial ventures.
- Jenna Lee: After working at Fox News for seven years, Lee stepped away from daily cable news to co-found SmartHER News, a digital media platform designed to provide concise, non-partisan reporting for modern audiences.
- Bill O'Reilly: Following his departure from the network, O'Reilly built an independent subscription and audio model, hosting the No Spin News podcast directly through his personal website and distribution feeds.
- Gretchen Carlson: Turning her post-network focus toward advocacy, Carlson co-founded Lift Our Voices, a non-profit organization dedicated to ending workplace confidentiality clauses and forced arbitration.
You can track broader media industry shifts through resources like the Pew Research Center, which analyzes changing news consumption habits, or review professional milestones via official outlets such as the Associated Press.
Why Post-Network Paths Are Changing
The economics of television have transformed dramatically over the last decade. Traditional cable bundles are shrinking as viewers cut the cord in favor of streaming services. For television executives, signing high-priced anchors carries immense financial risk, especially if advertiser boycotts or public controversies flare up.
For the anchors themselves, independent digital distribution often yields higher profit margins and total creative freedom. Production costs have plummeted thanks to accessible high-definition cameras, podcast microphones, and global distribution platforms. An anchor with a loyal, built-in fanbase no longer needs a network control room to reach millions of viewers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do former Fox News anchors face non-compete clauses?
Yes. Most major network contracts include non-compete clauses that restrict anchors from appearing on competing television networks for a specified period—often ranging from several months to a year—following their departure. However, these clauses rarely prevent them from launching independent podcasts or digital shows online.
Why do so many anchors choose podcasting after leaving cable news?
Podcasting offers direct audience monetization, creative autonomy, and insulation from corporate network politics. Hosts retain ownership of their content library and avoid the ratings pressures inherent in linear television scheduling.
Can anchors successfully rebuild their careers after a public firing?
Public perception varies widely depending on the circumstances of the departure. Anchors who leave due to contract expirations or editorial disagreements often transition smoothly. Those exiting amidst controversy typically experience a cooling-off period before rebranding within niche digital ecosystems where their core supporters follow them.
How do independent digital shows generate revenue?
Independent media ventures rely on a mix of listener subscriptions, programmatic advertising, corporate sponsorships, live tour tickets, and merchandise sales. Platforms like Patreon and YouTube memberships facilitate direct financial support from dedicated audiences.
