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NewsNation, the cable news upstart that has established itself as one of the “centrist” The alternative to CNN and MS Now (formerly MSNBC), has once again turned to Fox News to fill out its programming lineup.
Days after the network announced that former CNN anchor Ashley Banfield was stepping down from her primetime hosting duties to lead its “true crime digital vertical”, NewsNation revealed that Banfield’s old 10 p.m. ET time slot would be taken over by longtime Fox News contributor Katie Pavlich.
Pavlich will be the second ex-Fox personality to host a primetime show for the Nexstar-owned cable outlet. Former Fox News anchor and correspondent Leland Vittert is currently the host. on balance 9 PM ET.
“We are pleased to give our primetime viewers an additional hour of political news and analysis that helps them understand the day’s most important headlines,” Nexstar Networks President Sean Compton said in a statement. “NewsNation has always been committed to providing straight, fact-based journalism for all Americans, including presenting diverse perspectives and original ideas. Katie is an experienced reporter and commentator, and we are confident her unique voice will be a tremendous asset to our primetime audience.”
In a press release about the appointment of Pavlich, who spent 16 years as news editor of the right-wing site Townhall, the network said Pavlich would “provide his sharp insights on major news and current events, covering topics such as free speech, culture, immigration, national security and foreign policy.”
The network also noted that Pavlich’s new show, which will debut in early 2026, “will feature dynamic panel discussions and in-depth conversations with leading newsmakers, as well as spirited debate.”
During his time at Fox News, in addition to working as a political analyst, Pavlich was a regular co-host of the conservative cable giant’s top-rated panel show. Five and served as a host for several of the network’s opinion programs.
“It is an honor to join NewsNation at this dynamic period of its growth, and the opportunity to anchor the primetime program is an extraordinary privilege,” Pavlich said in a statement. “I’m eager to bring a fresh perspective on news to Americans across the country, as well as present a space for thoughtful debate across a diversity of opinions. This is a front-row seat to history – I can’t wait to buckle up and get started.”
Since its launch a few years ago, NewsNation have positioned themselves as a centrist alternative for viewers who felt the cable news landscape was too partisan. At the same time, Nexstar head Perry Sook acknowledged that this means the network will appear to be more conservative than many of its potential rivals.
“Sook told the staff that the goal from the beginning was to create a broadcast that reflected centrist views. As such, NewsNation would naturally lean more to the right than other mainstream news outlets because, in Sook’s view, the political viewpoints of journalists in most newsrooms lean to the left,” Diversity informed In March 2021, notable employees in the early days of NewsNation were concerned about “conservative bias” at the network.
Meanwhile, Pavlich joins the growing list of ex-Fox News hosts and correspondents at the network who have seen a Its rating is continuously increasing During the last year. For example, in September The channel saw a jump of 23 percent Its primetime audience and the key demographic of viewers aged 25 to 54 increased by eight percent.
In addition to Wittert, other Fox employees who have hosted shows on NewsNation include former Fox Business Network correspondent Blake Berman, ex-Fox Business anchor Connell McShane, former Fox & Friends Weekend Co-hosts Anna Kooiman, and longtime Fox News correspondent Laura Ingle.
The network’s political director is Chris Stirewalt, who Was fired from Fox News After defending the network’s early but accurate Arizona call for Joe Biden in the 2020 presidential election. Additionally, Geraldo Rivera – Who Leaving Fox News in 2023 after 20+ years between one Feud with host Greg Gutfeld – Joined NewsNation as a senior correspondent last year.
Of course, the network is not entirely run by denizens of the Murdoch-owned right-wing empire, especially as it pushes its brand of centrism and news analysis from both sides as a major selling point.
The channel’s most-watched show is anchored by a former CNN star Chris Cuomowhich has become increasingly More criticism from liberals since returning For primetime television. Cuomo, who was dismissed from cnn for giving advice to his then governor brother Democrats are angry over how sexual harassment allegations were handled “dead” Following Andrew Cuomo’s mayoral primary defeat to Zoharan Mamdani.
“At 7 p.m. ET, anchor Elizabeth Vargas will continue to lead the network’s nightly newscast, presenting the day’s biggest stories with agenda-free reporting,” NewsNation said in its statement on Pavlich’s appointment. “Host Chris Cuomo will continue to anchor Cuomo at 8 p.m. ET, bringing a no-nonsense approach to the day’s top news headlines On balance with Leland Wittert at 9 pm ET will continue to explore issues from both sides of the political aisle.
Pavlich joined NewsNation shortly after the arrival of the network’s so-called “Sleepy Leftist” Batya Ungar-Sargon will host a weekend show. network called Ungar-Sargon was a “brilliant voice who understands the current feeling of the country” when announcing her new program earlier this year.
Meanwhile, Banfield – who had been hosting her own primetime show at NewsNation since early 2021 – will transition to leading “true crime digital content” for the network, which will involve sharing content from her drop dead serious Podcast with NewsNation. She will remain with the channel as a contributor and will anchor its final broadcast banfield Next month.