Former Fox New Channel host Leland Vittert has been tapped by NewsNation to replace Dan Abrams in the 9 p.m. slot.
On Balance with Leland Vittert will fill the slot vacated by Abrams after he announced plans to step aside from his primetime program in February, prompting the search for his successor. Earlier, the Nexstar-owned cable channel inked Abrams’ lead-in, Chris Cuomo, to a new multiyear deal.
Vittert joined NewsNation, the upstart cable news channel, as an anchor in May 2021. In replacing Abrams weeknights, he becomes a centerpiece of NewsNation’s primetime lineup.
In other NewsNation programming changes, Elizabeth Vargas has signed a new multiyear deal and her weeknight show, Elizabeth Vargas Reports, will move to 7 p.m. in primetime. The new NewsNation line-up will take effect Feb. 10.
“We’re extremely happy to be bringing Leland and Elizabeth to our primetime line-up,” Michael Corn, president of programming and specials at NewsNation, said in a statement. “They are extraordinary and experienced journalists who are fearless, smart, and curious. They have travelled the globe to deliver the news, and they have each developed a loyal and growing audience here at NewsNation,” he added.
Alongside Cuomo, Vargas and Vittert co-anchored NewsNation’s 2024 election night coverage. NewsNation still faces stiff competition from cable news stalwarts Fox News, MSNBC and CNN for audience ratings.
“I am grateful to NewsNation for the opportunity to host a primetime program, and thankful to our passionate viewers who tune in every night,” Vittert added in his own statement.