Howard Kurtz, the longtime media critic and host of CNN’s Reliable Sources, is leaving CNN to host Fox News’ media show, Fox News Watch.
Kurtz leaves CNN just over a month after he found himself the target of critics for his factually inaccurate Daily Beast column about Jason Collins, who became the first openly gay male athlete in a major American sport when he wrote a Sports Illustrated essay. The Daily Beast retracted the column and the site let him go. Still, he stayed at CNN long enough to apologize.
According to The Wrap, Kurtz released a statement today confirming that he is switching to Fox, but didn’t say anything about his recent controversy.
“I’m excited to be bringing my independent brand of media criticism to Fox News,” Kurtz said. “I want to thank CNN for giving me such a prime opportunity over the years and was tempted to continue, but the chance to create a revamped program and establish a strong online presence was too good to pass up. I hope to add a new dimension to Fox’s coverage and have some fun while diving into the passionate debates about the press and politics.”
The Hollywood Reporter notes that Kurtz had been hosting Reliable Sources since 1998. His final episode will air on June 30.
It was likely that Kurtz was on the way out anyway, since Jeff Zucker has taken over the network and is trying to give it a new look. The network debuted a new morning show earlier this week and has taken on more original programming for the weekends, like Anthony Bourdain’s PArts Unknown.