Katie Pavlich is making a big move, and it’s turning heads across the cable news world. After more than a decade at Fox News, where she became a familiar and trusted face for millions of conservative viewers, Pavlich is heading to NewsNation to launch her own primetime show.
Set to air at 10 p.m. Eastern starting in early 2026, the new program will replace Ashleigh Banfield’s slot and aim to deliver serious, in-depth coverage of the day’s most pressing political issues — with a spotlight on free speech, national security, and other hot-button topics that don’t always get the time they deserve in the crowded media landscape.
For those who’ve followed Pavlich’s rise, this move doesn’t feel like a departure — it feels like a step into something bigger. She’s been a staple on Fox, jumping in on shows like Outnumbered and The Five, filling in as a host, and delivering sharp political analysis during some of the most turbulent news cycles in recent memory.
Before Fox, she made her mark at Townhall.com, helping shape conservative commentary during the height of the Obama era.
So why NewsNation? That’s the million-dollar question. But in a landscape where viewers are tired of yelling heads and are craving substance, NewsNation is pitching itself as the place where journalism still matters.
And they’ve got the growth numbers to back it up. The network is positioning itself as a centrist alternative in a world of extremes, and it’s been quietly gaining ground — logging year-over-year audience spikes and even winning some nights in the all-important 25-54 demo over CNN and MSNBC.
This isn’t just about ratings, though. It’s about credibility. NewsNation has built a bench with some serious firepower: Chris Cuomo from CNN, Dan Abrams with legal deep dives, Leland Vittert from Fox News, and now, Katie Pavlich bringing her blend of sharp commentary and journalistic chops to the late-night hour.
In her statement, Pavlich called it an honor to join NewsNation at such a pivotal time, and honestly, it makes sense.
The network is still in its growth phase, hungry to define itself, and that kind of momentum attracts people who want to build something — not just report on it.
Come 2026, viewers will have a new nightly destination for news that digs deeper, led by a voice they already trust. And if NewsNation keeps pulling off high-profile moves like this, the so-called “centrist alternative” might not be flying under the radar for much longer.
