After three years at CNN, host Chris Wallace announced Monday night that he will not renew his seven-figure contract with the network. Instead, he announced plans to move away from traditional television broadcasting and pursue new media ventures.
Prior to working at CNN, Wallace spent 18 years at Fox News.
“Old-school outlet mainstays are running for the exits.”
Wallace said: daily beast As for his interest in following in the path of Joe Rogan and Charlamagne tha God by starting a podcast or partnering with an independent streaming platform, he calls it “where I think the action is going to be.” I expressed it.
“It's not flattering to think I can have that kind of reach,” he added, referring to two famous podcasters.
“This is the first time in 55 years that I've taken time off between jobs,” Wallace said. “I was actually turned on and liberated by it.”
He said he has yet to decide which streaming format is best for him.
“Part of the challenge is not knowing. I'm looking forward to seeing what happens beyond the transom. It may be something I never thought about,” he told The Daily Beast.
Wallace's decision to leave CNN, announced just a week after the presidential election, appears to be another sign of the rapidly declining influence of corporate media.
“I have nothing but positive things to say” about CNN, which had hoped to renew its contract, Wallace said. Mark Thompson, the network's CEO and chairman, called Wallace “one of the most respected political journalists.”
Many expressed skepticism about Wallace's ability to attract a large enough audience to launch a successful podcasting career.
The Daily Beast points out that, “Most of the successful streamers and independent broadcasters that have come out of traditional TV have been almost exclusively right-wing.”
The news organization said former Fox News hosts Tucker Carlson and Megyn Kelly have found success with podcasting, while CNN's Don Lemon has struggled to gain traction with his independent programming. It was reported.
Following Wallace's departure, Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk said“Traditional news outlets are losing audiences, but more importantly, news outlets are losing their ability to set the narrative. A Trump landslide in 2024 could be the death knell for MSM.” is very high.” [mainstream media] The mainstay of traditional outlet stores is in the process of withdrawing. ”
Conservative film director Robbie Starbuck expressed a similar opinion.
“Chris Wallace vastly overestimates the public's interest in what he has to say. The old media dynamic was that you could choose from a number of news channels. In the new media, you can choose from a number of news channels. You can choose what you want. He's going to find it out the hard way. 'Not Chris Wallace.' I wrote.
Podcast host Sean Farash also responded to Wallace's announcement.
“The problem is, unlike Joe Rogan or Tucker Carlson, Chris Wallace has a stale bread personality and is unlikely to create a large audience or loyal following,” Farash said. said. said.
Rob Smith, a military veteran and political commentator, had a similar view.
“Chris Wallace, 77, quits his declining job at CNN…to become a podcaster? Boring! No one cares!” Smith wrote. ×.
Smith said he believed the move marked the end of Wallace's career and suggested he should have stayed at CNN.
“New media doesn't work for everyone. Now you can see Don Lemon floundering around in new media because no one really cares what he has to say. Because he never really took the time to develop any kind of personality or worldview,” Smith explained. “That doesn't work in this day and age.”
Do you like Blaze News? Avoid censorship and sign up for our newsletter to get articles like this delivered straight to your inbox. Please register here!
