Former Fox News host-turned CNN personality Chris Wallace appeared to shrug off career concerns after his new company’s streaming service ‘CNN+’ suffered an embarrassing run as the network announced it would be shuttered just one month after its launch.
During a panel discussion hosted by the Common Ground Committee Sunday night, Wallace, who reportedly was lured away from Fox News with a $9 million annual contract, said he had no regrets and that he was “going to be fine.”
But he refused to commit to future plans, suggesting to the panel that he didn’t know what the days ahead hold for him.
“No, I don’t know. We’ll see. My gosh [host] Jackie, it just happened on Thursday, give me a couple of days,” Wallace said of the news that CNN+ was already shutting down operations.
“I will say this, I am going to be fine,” he added. “I’m in good shape whether it’s CNN or someplace else.”
RELATED: CNN+ Drawing Less Than 10,000 Daily Viewers, Chris Wallace Said to Be Having ‘Daily Breakdowns’
Chris Wallace’s Future After CNN+
Wallace announced his departure from Fox News in December, indicating he was excited to be dipping into the CNN+ streaming service.
“I am thrilled to join CNN+. After decades in broadcast and cable news, I am excited to explore the world of streaming,” he said.
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The ‘world of streaming’ though, contributed to his downfall, Wallace believes.
“The idea was that you’ve got to a get a foothold in the streaming world,” he told the panel later adding, “Two weeks ago, streaming was king … and, suddenly, streaming is in an ICU, on life support.”
“Streaming” isn’t on life support, though CNN’s streaming, is. Or was.
Anchor Chris Wallace, speaking at a Common Ground event tonight, asked by a moderator if knows what his future is at CNN, answers “no.”
“I am gonna be fine. I’m in good shape whether it’s at CNN or some place else,” Wallace said.
— Dominick Mastrangelo (@DomMastrangelo1) April 25, 2022
RELATED: Joe Rogan Mocks Brian Stelter And ‘CNN Minus’ After Spectacular Demise Of CNN+
Wallace Worried About the Little People
Wallace went on to express concern more for the staffers and such with CNN+ who will now have to learn how to code find another niche at the network or even another job.
“There were three hundred people I think that had jobs at CNN+,” he explained. “Some of them had left CNN to go to streaming, some of them left other places to move across the country.”
“And so I think you’re seeing a lot of the anchors at CNN+ doing everything they can to protect the people that were working on their team and to make sure they get a safe landing at CNN or someplace else,” said Wallace.
Wallace said his focus right now is on the futures of the staff of his show on CNN+ and that of others hired to work on the now-shuttered service.
— Dominick Mastrangelo (@DomMastrangelo1) April 25, 2022
A former colleague at Fox News, Greg Gutfeld, could hardly contain his glee at the demise of CNN+ and Wallace’s terrible career decision to leave for supposedly greener pastures.
“Look at CNN+, how much money they invested in wind power by hiring Chris Wallace,” Gutfeld joked.
Fox’s Greg Gutfeld has been taking shots at Chris Wallace on The Five this evening: “The Democratic bench is thinner than Chris Wallace’s demo reel from CNN Plus.” pic.twitter.com/zzwXiAEN9X
— Kevin Tober (@KevinTober94) April 21, 2022
Gutfeld, in an appearance with Fox News anchor Tucker Carlson, pointed out that some streaming outlets, in contrast to what Wallace claims, are doing just fine.
“Hey, Tucker, I’ve got two questions for you. Number one, quite obviously you’re on Fox Nation. Fox Nation is a streaming success and now that CNN+ has been defunct, has Fox Nation considered rehiring Chris Wallace for Fox Nation?” Gutfeld jokingly asked.
“We could probably get him at a discount and I’ve seen that he interviews a lot of very interesting people,” he continued.
Wallace on streaming services for news and entertainment: “Two weeks ago, streaming was king … Now suddenly streaming is in an ICU on life support.”
Mentions CNN+ closure and recent headlines surrounding Netflix’s future.
— Dominick Mastrangelo (@DomMastrangelo1) April 25, 2022
Carlson joked that he told producers he was taking a hard pass on Wallace, “No, he just failed.”
Seems safe to assume that the ‘someplace else’ Wallace referred to won’t be Fox Nation.
