Six years after parting ways with NBC News, Megyn Kelly is experiencing a significant resurgence in her media career. Kelly, who thrived at Fox News from 2004 until 2017, left the network as one of its most celebrated evening anchors amid the pivotal #MeToo movement. Her departure coincided with major allegations against Fox co-founder Roger Ailes, who was accused of sexual harassment. Kelly made headlines for bravely sharing her own experiences of unwanted advances from Ailes, further solidifying her position as a leading figure in the fight against workplace misconduct.
After her time at Fox, Kelly briefly hosted a show at NBC News but was let go in 2018 following her controversial comments about blackface Halloween costumes, which many deemed insensitive. Reports indicated that her separation from NBC included a staggering $30 million settlement, reflecting her high-profile status.
Since her departure from NBC, Kelly has successfully cultivated her own brand on SiriusXM, where “The Megyn Kelly Show” has surged to the top of satellite radio’s talk show charts. According to Semafor, Kelly’s program not only ranks among the most listened-to shows on SiriusXM, but it has also secured a spot as one of the top ten podcasts in the United States. Her show’s viewership now surpasses that of several major mainstream news outlets on platforms like YouTube, showcasing her substantial reach and influence. Quoting Kelly, “I’ve built a community that trusts and engages with what I offer—they want an unfiltered perspective on the news.”
The decision to launch her own program was significantly influenced by conversations with Ben Shapiro, a notable figure in conservative media and the founder of The Daily Wire. Shapiro’s insights on entrepreneurship and media independence motivated Kelly to take charge of her career. “Striking out on my own was the best decision I’ve made. It allows me to connect directly with my audience, free from the constraints of corporate media,” Kelly remarked in an interview with The Daily Beast.
Remarkably, Kelly operates with a lean team, boasting just six staff members to manage her operations, yet she continues to achieve impressive metrics that rival those of traditional media powerhouses. According to Kelly’s team, her YouTube channel has amassed 2.3 million subscribers and reached over 116 million views in July alone, outpacing established channels like NBC News and CBS News.
In addition to her paid content, Kelly maintains a presence on YouTube by sharing free programming, allowing her audience to connect with her in a format they find relatable and engaging. “Video is where my followers feel they get the most connection—it’s the closest thing to an in-person conversation,” she noted. Speaking about her on-screen presence, she added humorously, “Being half Italian and half Irish, the gestures and expressions are an integral part of who I am and how I communicate,” emphasizing the importance of visual cues in effective communication.
The ongoing trend of high-profile journalists moving away from legacy media has become increasingly evident, especially with the recent firing of former Fox News host Tucker Carlson. Carlson’s sudden departure followed a multi-million dollar settlement with Dominion Voting Systems, which was embroiled in a defamation lawsuit against the network. Post-termination, Carlson rebranded himself on X (formerly Twitter), launching a subscription service and reaching millions of viewers, including interviews with significant figures like former President Donald Trump. Kelly expressed her support for Carlson during this tumultuous period, encouraging him to pursue his own media venture. “He should break free and use his voice,” Kelly said. “The potential to innovate and reach audiences directly is limitless.”
As media entrepreneurship spills over into other political arenas, figures like Don Lemon have also made headlines. Following his departure from CNN due to controversial remarks, Lemon created his own platform on X where he shared his insights, though he later faced challenges in his alignment with its owner, Elon Musk. Likewise, Mehdi Hasan, who was ousted from MSNBC earlier this year, has embarked on his own media journey, highlighting that the shift in the media landscape is not confined to one ideological side.
Amidst this environment, Kelly has positioned herself not just as a media personality but as a pioneer in reshaping how news is consumed and shared in the digital age.
