Veteran anchor Bill Hemmer will replace Shepard Smith on Fox News Channel’s afternoon newscast, the network announced Monday.
Hemmer has been with Fox News since 2005, after previously working at CNN. He has most recently been a co-host of Fox’s 10 a.m. news program, which now has an opening to fill.
Fox News’ President and Executive Editor Jay Wallace, in a press release, said Hemmer will leave his 9 a.m. time slot alongside Sandra Smith on “America’s Newsroom.” The new 3 p.m. show will be called “Bill Hemmer Reports.”
“Bill is an incredible newsman and his ability to cut to the heart of the story while humanizing major events has made him a standout talent in news,” Wallace said in a statement, USA Today reported. “As we start gearing up for the 2020 election, we are thrilled to have him lead our news division through what will sure to be an eventful year.” Smith, who had become known for occasionally refuting some of the assertions made on Fox’s prime-time news programs, abruptly quit the network in October. Fox said that under Hemmer, the 3 p.m. Eastern time show would remain a news program and not an opinion program.
Hemmer added in the press release: “As a journalist, l am extremely grateful for this opportunity. 2020 will undoubtedly be a year of great significance. Leading our breaking news division with a signature hour has enormous value to me, personally, and to our audience. We’ve got a fantastic team here and I am excited to get to work.”
Hemmer will lead all breaking news coverage for the network as part of his new role.
He will debut on the program Jan. 20.
On Monday afternoon, Hemmer’s appointment was praised by several of his Fox News colleagues.
“He is truly one of the best in the business!” tweeted news anchor Shannon Bream. “@BillHemmer is a good egg inside and out. Bravo!”
“Congrats to my friend and colleague @BillHemmer,” wrote Fox anchor Bret Baier. “Very well deserved.”
Epoch Times Reporter Jack Phillips Contributed to this report.
