Chris Wallace is leaving CNN after three years with the network

new York
CNN
—

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

Wallace, 77, who signed a three-year contract with CNN in December 2021, told The Daily Beast: “This is the first time in 55 years that I’ve been switching between two jobs. “I’m really excited and relieved about it.”

CNN’s Mark Thompson confirmed Wallace’s departure Monday evening.

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

Wallace was one of the faces of CNN’s election night coverage just last week, so his exit may come as a surprise to viewers. However, it is common for television news anchors’ contracts to adjust to the presidential election cycle and for networks to make major adjustments in subsequent months.

In this case, Wallace told The Daily Beast that he decided to leave CNN to explore new platforms such as streaming or podcasting. He remarked on CNN: “I only have positive things to say. CNN has been very good for me.”

Wallace declined further comment on his decision.

Wallace shocked many TV insiders when he left his longtime Sunday morning home, “Fox News Sunday,” three years ago. He then told interviewers that he had become uncomfortable with the “conspiracies and lies” being peddled on certain Fox programs.

That’s when Wallace took on a new role as host of “Who’s Talking to Chris Wallace?” on CNN+, a streaming video product that launched in early 2022 but was canceled weeks later when CNN’s parent company changed hands.

Wallace’s talk show continued on the streaming service Max, and last year he added a Saturday morning panel discussion show of the same name.

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