Veteran Washington journalist Bob Novak will be taking his act to the Fox News Channel in the New Year.
FLASH: Bob Novak Becoming Fox News Channel “Contributor”
As soon as Bob Novak’s contract with CNN runs out on Dec. 31, he will become a contributor to the Fox News Channel, the AP scoops. FNC spokesman Brian Lewis confirmed his signing with the network to David Bauder. “Novak said the switch to Fox had nothing to do with finding a more comfortable home for his views.”
“I don’t think that’s a factor,” Novak said. “In 25 years I was never censored by CNN and I said some fairly outrageous things and some very conservative things. I don’t want to give the impression that they were muzzling me and I had to go to a place that wouldn’t muzzle me.”
Brian as Mediabistro is suspicious:
The questions are obvious: Why didn’t Novak stay at CNN as a “contributor?” How often will Novak appear on FNC? How long has this been in the works? What are the odds that he’ll storm off a set?
I’m guessing Fox is paying him more money and/or giving him more air time? Novak’s old show, “Crossfire,” is off the air. Futher, CNN is a fading network in terms of audience share and Fox has become the dominant cable news channel. The move makes plenty of sense from Novak’s perspective.
I’m not sure, however, what Fox gains by adding Novak to the fold. They already have a large stable of conservative commentators. And, frankly, Novak’s “prince of darkness” routine got tiresome twenty years ago. He has always been a much better writer than television personality.
