Former Fox News anchor Shepard Smith to join CNBC as host of 'The News with Shepard Smith'
Shepard Smith has found a new journalistic home since his stunning departure from Fox News last year.
The award-winning broadcast journalist will host "The News with Shepard Smith," a new, hourlong CNBC show airing weeknights and launching in the Fall. Smith will be based at CNBC's global headquarters in New Jersey starting July 13, according to a news release.
As a Fox News anchor, Smith made headlines for his on-air criticism of President Donald Trump and departed the conservative-leaning news network last October. He had worked at Fox News since its inception in 1996.
In his new role, Smith will also become chief general news anchor and chief breaking general news anchor at CNBC, as well as the executive editor of his new show.
Smith said he is honored to "continue to pursue the truth" at CNBC.
"Gathering and reporting the news has been my life's work," he said in a statement. "I know I found a great home for my newscast. I am excited to be working with the exceptional talent at CNBC and eager to build a team focused on uncovering the news behind the headlines."
CNBC chairman Mark Hoffman said Smith's program will seek out "the signal in all the noise."
At Fox News, Smith served as chief news anchor and managing editor of the breaking news division. Smith also hosted the Fox News show "Shepard Smith Reporting" from 2013 to 2019.
After increasing clashes with Fox's prime time opinion hosts, Smith announced on-air that he would part ways with the network and "begin a new chapter."
Fox News' Shepard Smith steps down as chief news anchor, departs network, stuns colleagues
He said his departure was voluntary: "After requesting that I stay, they graciously obliged. The opportunities afforded this guy from small-town Mississippi have been many. It’s been an honor and a privilege to report the news each day to our loyal audience in context and with perspective, without fear or favor."
His emotional speech continued: "Even in our currently polarized nation, it's my hope that the facts will win the day, that the truth will always matter, that journalism and journalists will thrive."
Smith, the network's chief news anchor and managing editor of its breaking news unit, has worked at Fox News since its inception in 1996. Under his agreement with Fox, "I won't be able to report elsewhere at least in the near future," he said.
Shepard Smith decries 'press vilification' in first speech since leaving Fox News
Contributing: Sara M Moniuszko
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Former Fox News anchor Shepard Smith to lead new program on CNBC
