Fox News Shuffles Primetime Talent, Elevates Compagno to The Five
Event summary
- Emily Compagno promoted to full-time co-host of Fox News' The Five, effective September 8, 2026.
- Compagno leaves her role as co-host of Outnumbered, with a rotating personality to temporarily fill the seat.
- The Five averages 3.6 million viewers and 322,000 in the 25-54 demo, maintaining its 19th consecutive quarter as the highest-rated cable news show.
- The program commands 64% of the cable news audience in its timeslot, outperforming broadcast shows like Law & Order: SVU and Abbott Elementary.
The big picture
Fox News continues to dominate cable news with The Five, a program that has held its timeslot for over a decade. The promotion of Emily Compagno reflects the network's strategy of leveraging internal talent to maintain its competitive edge. With a politically diverse audience and strong ratings, Fox News is positioning itself as the leading source for news, outpacing both traditional broadcast and digital competitors. The move underscores the network's focus on talent development and audience engagement in an increasingly fragmented media landscape.
What we're watching
- Audience Retention
- Whether Compagno's addition can sustain The Five's dominant viewership numbers amid competitive programming.
- Talent Pipeline
- How Fox News will fill Compagno's vacated role on Outnumbered and its impact on daytime ratings.
- Competitive Positioning
- The pace at which Fox News can maintain its lead in cable news viewership against broadcast and streaming alternatives.