Chris Wallace is leaving CNN after three years at the network

On By Littum


New York
CNN
—

Chris Wallace, the veteran journalist who has anchored weekly shows on CNN and the Max streaming service, is leaving the network, he announced Monday.

Wallace, 77, who signed a three-year contract with CNN in December 2021, told The Daily Beast that “it is the first time in 55 years that I have been between jobs. I am actually excited and relieved about that.”

CNN CEO Mark Thompson confirmed Wallace’s departure Monday night.

“Chris Wallace is one of the most respected political reporters in the news industry, with a unique track record across radio, print, television, cable and streaming,” said Thompson. “We want to thank him for the dedication and wisdom he has brought to all his work at CNN, and we wish him the best for the future.”

Wallace was one of the faces of CNN’s election night coverage last week, so his exit may come as a surprise to viewers. But it’s common for TV news anchor contracts to align with presidential election cycles, and for networks to make big adjustments in the months after.

In this case, Wallace told The Daily Beast that he decided to leave CNN to explore new platforms like streaming or podcasting. Of CNN, he noted, “I have nothing but positive things to say. CNN has been very good to me.”

Wallace declined to comment further on his decision.

Wallace shocked many TV insiders when he left his longtime Sunday morning home, “Fox News Sunday,” three years ago. He subsequently told interviewers that he had become uncomfortable with the “conspiracy and lies” promoted by certain Fox programs.

At that time, Wallace accepted a new role as the anchor of “Who’s Talking to Chris Wallace?” on CNN+, a streaming video product that launched in early 2022 but was shut down weeks later when CNN’s parent company changed hands.

Wallace’s talk show continued on the Max streaming service, and last year he added an eponymous Saturday morning panel discussion show.

A spokesperson for CNN confirmed that Wallace’s shows will end at the end of their scheduled run later this year.