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Chris Wallace Stepping Away from CNN After 3 Years to Venture into Podcasting


The veteran television host found his departure from CNN to be ‘quite liberating.’

Veteran television broadcaster Chris Wallace revealed on Monday his intention to leave CNN in order to explore opportunities in streaming or podcasting platforms independently.

At 77 years old, the broadcaster stated to The Daily Beast that he decided against renewing his three-year contract with CNN beyond the end of the year.

“I have only positive things to say about CNN. They have treated me very well,” he expressed to the news outlet, labeling his departure from the network as “quite liberating.”

“After 55 years, this is the first time I will be without a job. I am actually thrilled and freed by this,” Wallace added.

Wallace observed that the areas of streaming and podcasting are particularly dynamic, mentioning figures like Joe Rogan and Charlamagne tha God who influenced public discourse during the recent presidential election.

The broadcaster also remarked that he is still undecided about his plans for this new venture.

“Not knowing is part of the challenge. I’m keeping an eye out for new opportunities. It could be something completely unexpected,” Wallace shared.

CNN’s chief executive officer, Mark Thompson, described Wallace as “one of the most respected political journalists in the news industry, with a unique background in radio, print, broadcast television, cable television, and streaming.”

Thompson stated in a message to news outlets regarding Wallace’s departure, “We appreciate his dedication and insight that he has brought to his work at CNN, and we wish him the best of luck in the future.”

Wallace joined CNN as an anchor for CNN+ in December 2021 after leaving Fox News, his longtime employer of nearly two decades.

CNN+ was a subscription streaming service that launched in March 2022 but was closed down a month later following the merger of CNN’s former parent company, WarnerMedia, with Discovery.

Currently, Wallace hosts a CNN weekend talk show called “The Chris Wallace Show” on the network, along with the online streaming show “Who’s Talking to Chris Wallace?” on Max.

His decision to leave came shortly after participating in CNN’s Election Night coverage, where he mentioned that Vice President Kamala Harris would need “a miracle” to defeat President-elect Donald Trump in the presidential election. Wallace’s departure coincided with the network’s struggle with declining viewership.

“When you see that current voters are dissatisfied or angry with the country by a three-to-one margin, it’s a tough environment. It would be nothing short of a miracle for Kamala Harris to win with these conditions,” he said on Nov. 5.



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