New FOX News primetime lineup debuts Oct. 7

After Gretchen Carlson moved from morning to daytime, FOX News Channel continues tweaking its programming when the new FOX News primetime lineup debuts on Oct. 7, the date that marks the 17th anniversary of the launch of FOX News Channel (FNC). Also on that day, the network will debut a new program in daytime, hosted by Shepard Smith.

The new FOX News primetime lineup will kick off with On the Record, hosted by Greta Van Susteren, which airs at 7pm ET starting Oct. 7. After hosting her show at 10pm for many years, Van Susteren joked in a recent release about the move that, “After 11 1/2 years number one at 10pm and driving home near midnight, I am ‘to the moon thrilled’ at a new challenge (and a new drive! Half the year I won’t even need headlights!).”

The O’Reilly Factor will continue in the 8pm ET time slot as part of the new FOX News primetime lineup. Bill O’Reilly’s show has been the No. 1 cable news program since 2001.

megyn kelly

At 9pm ET, the new FOX News primetime lineup will feature the new program The Kelly File, hosted by former FOX News daytime personality Megyn Kelly (pictured). According to a FOX News release, The Kelly File will “focus on late-breaking stories as well as in-depth investigative reports along with newsmaker interviews.”

The new FOX News primetime lineup rounds up with Hannity moving to the 10pm ET time slot. In a release, host Sean Hannity commented about the move, “I am very happy to be moving to 10pm. The ability to be live or on tape greatly increases the flexibility of the show and offers me, after 17 years, the opportunity to be home at night with my family.”

Later in the afternoon of Oct. 7, before the new FOX News primetime lineup begins, the channel will also debut the new program Shepard Smith Reporting at 3pm ET. Smith, who has been with FOX News since its inception in 1996, was recently named Managing Editor of the network’s new breaking news division, and will continue as Chief News Anchor as part of a new, multi-year deal to remain with FNC. As part of this shift, The FOX Report with Shepard Smith will be incorporated into the breaking news unit.

Smith’s anchoring duties will include the 3pm Shepard Smith Reporting, a one-hour program that a release says will bring viewers the latest news across all FNC platforms, allowing them to see how news is gathered. The show will be housed in a newly constructed signature studio (that will be unveiled at launch) known as The FOX News Deck. Smith’s producers and information specialists will be able to interrupt all programming as needed at a moment’s notice to bring the latest news as it develops.

New FOX News lineup on weekdays, as of Oct. 7. All times ET:

3pm: Shepard Smith Reporting (new program)

7pm: On the Record

8pm: The O’Reilly Factor

9pm: The Kelly File (new program)

10pm: Hannity