Elisabeth Hasselbeck to Depart FOX & FRIENDS Morning Program

Elisabeth Hasselbeck announced today that she will step down from her role as co-host of Fox & Friends on FOX News Channel (FNC) and depart the network at the end of the year. She has decided to put her career in television on hold while she raises her three children. A variety of rotating co-hosts will take Hasselbeck's seat until a replacement is named.

In a statement, Hasselbeck said, "Oftentimes, the most difficult decisions are between two great things. Throughout my 14 years working in television, I have never experienced a more positive and thoughtful atmosphere than FOX News Channel, thanks to the strong leadership of (FOX News Chairman & CEO) Roger Ailes, who has created the best working environment a woman and mother could ask for. His understanding, compassion, and kindness was exemplified when I shared with him that I am entering into a season where I want to start my day with my children first, and he offered his blessing to do so. With a heart full of gratitude and the peace that God has given me, I am confident that this personal decision is the right one for our family, and we will be joining all of you watching Fox & Friends each morning as we get ready for school together."

In commenting on her announcement, Ailes said, "Elisabeth and I discussed this at length over several weeks, and while I would love for her to continue here, I respect her incredibly difficult, yet deeply personal decision. She has been a great addition to the Fox & Friends franchise."

Since September 2013, Hasselbeck has been a co-host on the number one rated cable news morning program alongside Steve Doocy and Brian Kilmeade. During her tenure at FNC, Fox & Friends continued to eclipse the cable news competition in total viewers and Adults 25-54, and remained number one in basic cable during its 6-9AM timeslot.

Prior to joining FNC, Hasselbeck spent nearly a decade at The View, the ABC daytime talk show created by Barbara Walters and Bill Geddie. During that period, the program was ranked #11 on Forbes' "30 of the Most Influential Women in Media" and the co-hosts were chosen among TIME's "100 Most Influential People in the World." She had also served as a contributor to ABC's Good Morning America. Additionally, Hasselbeck was a keynote speaker at the Republican National Convention in both 2004 and 2008, and has interviewed Presidents Bush, Clinton and Obama. She is the author of two New York Times bestsellers, "The G-Free Diet", and the cookbook, "Deliciously G-Free."

For more than 17 years, Fox & Friends has been the signature morning program for the network, providing an alternative to the formulaic broadcast morning shows. Featuring interviews with numerous celebrities, athletes and political heavyweights, the program also includes regular stunts and musical performances both on set and outside before gathering crowds. Additionally, each hour of the program provides reports on general news, sports, weather, politics, business and entertainment.

FOX News Channel (FNC) is a 24-hour all-encompassing news service dedicated to delivering breaking news as well as political and business news. A top five cable network, FNC has been the most-watched news channel in the country for more than 13 years and according to a Suffolk University/USA Today poll, is the most trusted television news source in the country. Owned by 21st Century Fox, FNC is available in more than 90 million homes and dominates the cable news landscape, routinely notching the top ten programs in the genre.

Photo Credit: Walter McBride / WM Photos

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