Fox News has inked Sean Hannity to a new multiyear deal that will push his tenure with the cable news sector's top network past the 20-year mark.
The pact with the host of cable news's No. 2 show, financial terms of which were not disclosed, comes a month to the day after Fox News Channel renewed Bill O'Reilly's deal.
With the contract extensions, Fox News Channel has solidified a primetime lineup that typically topples the combined Nielsens of both MSNBC and CNN.
Hannity joined Fox News Channel in 1996 as co-host of Hannity & Colmes appearing with counterpart Alan Colmes, who has since become a liberal commentator across all Fox News properties. In 2008, the program was renamed to the solo-hosted Hannity offering a mix of political analysis, buzz-worthy interviews and signature segments such as the "Great American Panel." Currently averaging more than 2.1 million viewers each weeknight, Hannity is cable news' second-most-watched show behind The O'Reilly Factor.
"Hannity's years of experience and thought-provoking commentary will continue to engage and excite loyal viewers, said Roger Ailes, Fox News chairman and CEO, in making the announcement. "He is a remarkable asset to the network and we are happy that he'll remain in his current role."
Apart from Larry King, Hannity is the only cable news host to hold the same primetime slot for the last 15 years. During his tenure, hehas also become one of the most popular radio personalities in the country as the host of The Sean Hannity Show, syndicated to more than 500 stations in the top 50 markets with a weekly listenership of 13 million.
Noted Hannity: "It's been an honor and privilege to work alongside the incredible team at Fox News, whose talent is unparalleled. In true Roger Ailes form, he saw something in me that no one else did and afforded me the opportunity to achieve incredible success. I look forward to many more years to come."
