Word of Megyn Kelly’s departure from Fox News broke earlier this week and left the nation wondering what this move means for her career, Fox News’ ratings, and NBC’s programming. Her switch from the conservation Fox News Channel to the more liberal NBC may cause issues for both networks and suggests that she is two-timing her audiences with different beliefs.
Currently, Kelly hosts “The Kelly File” from 9-10 p.m. on weekdays. However, her new position at NBC will have her hosting a daytime show each weekday, a Sunday evening news program, and participating in breaking news coverage. Kelly attributes her reasoning for moving networks to being able to spend more time with her family and young children, however, her workload at NBC seems as if it will be significantly more demanding. According to the New York Times, success in Daytime television is extraordinarily difficult to come by for news stars.
However, her move from Fox to NBC may also be detrimental to the respective networks. Currently, Kelly is the only prominent female anchor on Fox News’ prime time after Gretchen Carlson’s recent exit from the network. According to Yahoo News, Kelly has repeatedly proved herself capable “during two presidential election coverage cycles, when her lawyer’s mind and preternatural calm make her someone to attend to." The story adds, "That’s a gaping hole Fox will have to fill when she departs, and the only part of her NBC arrangement that seems like a sure thing.”
NBC seems to be taking a significant risk by taking on Megyn Kelly since she will be competing with top-notch reporters such as Lester Holt, Savannah and Matt, and Andrea Mitchell at the network. In fact, according to Yahoo News, “Kelly’s May 2016 broadcast special on Fox — the one where she did her Barbara Walters impersonation, interviewing Laverne Cox, Michael Douglas, and her faux-nemesis Donald Trump — was a ratings disappointment and pointed up a chink in Kelly’s steely armor: namely, she always seems to be wearing an invisible coating of steely armor."
"For Megyn Kelly, the shift from Fox News to NBC — where she will host a daily daytime show and a Sunday news magazine program — will be a test of whether she can connect with a broader audience in a different format and reach another level of television stardom," according to the New York Times.
Kelly's move from Fox to NBC has the potential to be detrimental to her career, as the viewers who made her a news star may not follow her to NBC. Furthermore, while she cites her family as her primary reason for leaving Fox, she also seems to be stepping down for less admirable reasons. “There’s a lot of brain damage that comes from the job," according to Kelly. "There was probably less brain damage when I worked in the afternoon. I was less well known. I had far less conflict in my life.” Perhaps she is referring to her rise to stardom following her issues with President Elect Donald Trump, but it seems that sort of conflict is a natural part of the job.
Kelly’s departure from Fox News marks the end of her 12-year career with them. Her final show will air on January 6th, 2017.
