Shep Smith is leaving his 7 p.m. hour on Fox News, as he takes on a new role as managing editor overseeing the network's new breaking news division.
The host will continue anchoring the 3 p.m. hour, which will be renamed "Shepard Smith Reporting," and his team will be responsible for breaking in to normal programming throughout the day. Mediaite was the first to report the news on Thursday.
"The Fox Report" at 7 p.m. will be "incorporated into a breaking news unit where Smith will dedicate his anchoring, reporting and presentation acumen as domestic and international events unfold," the network said in a statement. Meanwhile, Smith's 3 p.m. show will get a new studio. Smith said in the statement that he is "thrilled" by the move.
The announcement comes as part of the network's larger primetime shakeup, and spurs immediate speculation that Megyn Kelly — who is moving to primetime when she returns from maternity leave — will be taking over the 7 p.m. hour. She has been rumored to be taking over Sean Hannity's timeslot at 9 p.m. Hannity addressed the speculation in August, saying, "Let's just say in the end, I'm very happy."
Fox News has yet to officially announce its new primetime lineup.
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