Popular Fox News Figure Leaving Network to Join NewsNation

NewsNation announced Monday that conservative political analyst and commentator Katie Pavlich will be joining the network as the host of a new primetime program, marking a high-profile addition to its evening lineup.

Pavlich, a longtime Fox News Channel contributor and one of the most recognizable conservative voices in cable news, is scheduled to begin hosting the 10 p.m. hour in 2026. She will assume the slot previously held by Ashleigh Banfield, according to The Hill.

Banfield will remain with NewsNation and transition into overseeing the network’s true crime digital content, the company confirmed.

According to the network, Pavlich’s new program will focus on core national issues “such as free speech, culture, immigration, national security, and foreign policy.” NewsNation said the show will emphasize “spirited debates along with dynamic panel discussions and in-depth conversations with key newsmakers,” positioning it as a politically focused alternative in primetime cable news.

“We’re pleased to give our primetime viewers an additional hour of political news and analysis that helps them make sense of the day’s most important headlines,” said Sean Compton, president of Nexstar Networks.

“NewsNation has always been committed to delivering straightforward, fact-based journalism for all Americans, which includes presenting diverse viewpoints and original ideas. Katie is a seasoned journalist and commentator, and we believe her unique voice will be a tremendous asset to our primetime audience,” Compton added.

Pavlich, who spent more than 15 years as chief news editor at the conservative media outlet Townhall.com, said she is eager to bring her experience and perspective to a broader audience. She recently stepped away from that role, according to Variety.

“Since 2013, she has also appeared regularly on FOX News Channel as a political contributor, as a guest co-host for The Five, and guest-hosting multiple primetime shows,” NewsNation said in its announcement.

“Each weeknight, Ms. Pavlich will offer her sharp insight on major news and current events, covering topics such as free speech, culture, immigration, national security, and foreign policy. Her program will feature spirited debates along with dynamic panel discussions and in-depth conversations with key newsmakers,” the network stated.

“I am honored to join NewsNation during this dynamic period in its development, and the opportunity to anchor a primetime program is an exceptional privilege,” Pavlich said in a statement.

“I look forward to bringing a fresh perspective on the news to Americans across the country, while presenting a venue for thoughtful debate across a wide spectrum of opinions. It’s a front row seat to history — I can’t wait to buckle in and get started,” she added.

An Arizona native, Pavlich is also widely known for her investigative work on government overreach and scandal. Her 2012 New York Times bestselling book, Fast and Furious: Barack Obama’s Bloodiest Scandal, detailed the Obama administration’s failed Operation Fast and Furious program.

The operation, overseen by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, involved allowing firearms to be illegally purchased and trafficked across the U.S.–Mexico border in an effort to track cartel networks. Many of those weapons were never recovered and were later linked to violent crimes on both sides of the border, including the 2010 murder of U.S. Border Patrol Agent Brian Terry.

The program has also been criticized by conservatives as a backdoor effort by the Obama administration to justify expanded federal gun control.

Pavlich later authored Assault & Flattery: The Truth About the Left and Their War on Women in 2014, further cementing her reputation as a leading conservative commentator.

At NewsNation, Pavlich will join several other former Fox News personalities, including Leland Vittert, Chris Stirewalt, and Geraldo Rivera, as the network continues to build out its political programming.