Ashleigh Banfield to Exit NewsNation Primetime in Favor of Podcasting
Ashleigh Banfield will exit NewsNation‘s primetime lineup in favor of focusing on her own true-crime podcast, the Nexstar-backed media outlet announced Friday. She will remain as a contributor to the network and also lead a true-crime digital vertical.
Under a new a new partnership, content from Banfield’s podcast, “Drop Dead Serious with Ashleigh Banfield,” will be made available on NewsNation. Banfield has hosted an hour on NewsNation at 10 p.m. weekdays since 2021. Her last linear telecast will take place in January. The network will rely on a rotating series of anchors to fill the time period for the immediate future.
“Ashleigh is truly one of the best at what she does — her storytelling and credibility make her the perfect partner as we build a digital destination for true crime fans while keeping her voice central to our on-air coverage,” said Michael Corn, president of programming and specials, in a statement.
Banfield is the latest of NewsNation’s best-known personalities to test out new relationships with the outlet as the prospects of fortunes tied to personal digital projects beckon. Dan Abrams, one of the first major names to join the network’s lineup, left in early 2025 to put more energy into other businesses that he runs.
The network, which also features Chris Cuomo, Elizabeth Vargas and Leland Vittert in prominent evening hours, did not name an immediate replacement for Banfield. Her 10 p.m. program, “Banfield,” also puts a spotlight on prominent crime and justice stories in the headlines.
NewsNation last renewed Banfield’s contract in 2024, noting that she “covers crime and the justice system better than anyone.”
“I’m excited to channel the momentum of my ‘Drop Dead Serious’ podcast brand towards NewsNation’s growing digital audience,” said Banfield, in a statement. “The success of true crime reporting on streaming media platforms has been transformative, and I’m looking forward to helping shape and enhance NewsNation’s multi-platform strategy in this genre.”
More to come…
Under a new a new partnership, content from Banfield’s podcast, “Drop Dead Serious with Ashleigh Banfield,” will be made available on NewsNation. Banfield has hosted an hour on NewsNation at 10 p.m. weekdays since 2021. Her last linear telecast will take place in January. The network will rely on a rotating series of anchors to fill the time period for the immediate future.
“Ashleigh is truly one of the best at what she does — her storytelling and credibility make her the perfect partner as we build a digital destination for true crime fans while keeping her voice central to our on-air coverage,” said Michael Corn, president of programming and specials, in a statement.
Banfield is the latest of NewsNation’s best-known personalities to test out new relationships with the outlet as the prospects of fortunes tied to personal digital projects beckon. Dan Abrams, one of the first major names to join the network’s lineup, left in early 2025 to put more energy into other businesses that he runs.
The network, which also features Chris Cuomo, Elizabeth Vargas and Leland Vittert in prominent evening hours, did not name an immediate replacement for Banfield. Her 10 p.m. program, “Banfield,” also puts a spotlight on prominent crime and justice stories in the headlines.
NewsNation last renewed Banfield’s contract in 2024, noting that she “covers crime and the justice system better than anyone.”
“I’m excited to channel the momentum of my ‘Drop Dead Serious’ podcast brand towards NewsNation’s growing digital audience,” said Banfield, in a statement. “The success of true crime reporting on streaming media platforms has been transformative, and I’m looking forward to helping shape and enhance NewsNation’s multi-platform strategy in this genre.”
More to come…