Long-Time Anchor Greta Van Susteren to Depart Fox News ; Brit Hume to Fill Slot

FOX News Channel's (FNC) senior political analyst Brit Hume will take over as anchor of On the Record (7PM/ET) starting Tuesday, September 6th and running through the election, announced the network's co-presidents Jack Abernethy and Bill Shine. Current host Greta Van Susteren will depart the network after 14 years.

In making the announcement, Abernethy and Shine said in a joint statement, "As one of the best political analysts in the industry, Brit is the ideal choice to host a nightly political program while the most dynamic and captivating election in recent history unfolds. Having Brit at the helm of this show will enable FOX News to continue on track to have its highest-rated year ever as the network dominates the cable news landscape."

Commenting on Van Susteren's departure, Abernethy and Shine jointly said, "We are grateful for Greta's many contributions over the years and wish her continued success."

Hume added, "I am happy to take on this assignment for the balance of this extraordinary election. My FOX News colleagues have set a high standard for political coverage which I'll do my best to uphold. I'm honored to be asked."

As FNC's senior political analyst, Hume has provided in-depth coverage and analysis of all major political events and covered every presidential election since assuming the role in 2008. Previously serving as the anchor of Special Report, Hume stepped down in December 2008 after more than 10 years anchoring the program. Under his leadership, Special Report was the highest-rated political program on cable television. In this capacity, Hume also served as the Washington managing editor and was responsible for overseeing news content for FOX News' Washington bureau. He also anchored all network coverage for every presidential election from 1996-2008.

Before joining FOX News in 1996, Hume was with ABC News for 23 years, serving as chief White House correspondent from 1989 through 1996. During his tenure, he contributed to World News Tonight with Peter Jennings, Nightline and This Week, as well as various specials for the news division. Hume joined ABC in 1973 as a consultant for the network's documentary division, moving on to the role of Washington correspondent in 1976, and later Capitol Hill correspondent and reported on Congress until 1988. Earlier, Hume reported for United Press International, beginning his career as a newspaper reporter with The Hartford Times and the Baltimore Evening Sun.

He has received numerous honors and awards, including the 2003 Sol Taishoff Award for Excellence in Broadcast Journalism from the National Press Foundation and a 1991 Emmy Award for his coverage of the Gulf War. The author of two books "Inside Story" and "Death and the Mines," Hume was named "The Best in the Business" by the American Journalism Review for his extensive news coverage of the White House.

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 14 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.

Image courtesy of FOX News

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