Fox News Anchor Chris Wallace Leaves Network For CNN Streaming Service

One of the network’s most renowned anchors, Chris Wallace, has been hosting "Fox News Sunday" since 2003. He is also known to have interviewed prominent politicians like former US Presidents Barack Obama and Donald Trump, along with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Chris Wallace announced that he will be leaving Fox News after 18 years with the network, delivering the news during his show Sunday.

"But after 18 years, I have decided to leave Fox," Wallace said. "I want to try something new to go beyond politics, to all the things I’m interested in. I’m ready for a new adventure. And I hope you’ll check it out."

Wallace noted that Fox News kept its promise to not interfere in the work that it gave him when he joined the network.

Shortly after the announcement, Variety reported, citing two people familiar with the matter, that Wallace is likely to jump to the new streaming video service CNN+ that is to be launched in the first quarter of next year.

Later, CNN revealed that Wallace will be hosting a weekday show on CNN+. The streaming service also rolled out a statement, introducing its new anchor.

"I am thrilled to join CNN+," Wallace is quoted in the statement. "After decades in broadcast and cable news, I am excited to explore the world of streaming. I look forward to the new freedom and flexibility streaming affords in interviewing major figures across the news landscape - and finding new ways to tell stories."

He also said he is excited to join CNN Worldwide head Jeff Zucker and his "great team", and "can't wait to get started".

The new host of Wallace's "Fox News Sunday" is yet to be named by the network, with Fox News only saying that it is proud of Wallace's work with its "stellar team".

“The legacy of FOX News Sunday will continue with our star journalists, many of whom will rotate in the position until a permanent host is named," the network stated.

Chris Wallace's big surprise at the end of today's @FoxNewsSunday: He's leaving, effective immediately. pic.twitter.com/S1ON6JkTXx

— Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) December 12, 2021

Wallace succeeded Tony Snow as the host of "Fox News Sunday" in 2003. He is also known to have interviewed several prominent politicians, among them former US Presidents Donald Trump and Barack Obama, along with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

During his Fox News tenure, Wallace covered the work of five US presidential administrations. Both in 2016 and in 2020, he was a moderator of presidential debates.