When Fox News called Arizona for Joe Biden in November before other networks, Stirewalt and his team came under scrutiny from Republicans who said it was unanticipated. Though a source familiar with the topic said the restructuring choices weren't in response to the coverage of the 2020 election.
The Washington Examiner reached out to the outlet for comment on the subject. A spokesperson declined to comment on specific details, referring to employee confidentiality.
"As we conclude the 2020 election cycle, FOX News Digital has realigned its business and reporting structure to meet the demands of this new era," the spokesperson said. "We are confident these changes will ensure the platform continues to deliver breakthrough reporting and insightful analysis surrounding major issues, both stateside and abroad."
WATCH:ELON MUSK TALKS ABOUT THE FUTURE OF SELF DRIVING CARS
In an episode of the podcast, I'll Tell You What, which Stirewalt co-hosts with Dana Perino, the two considered a change in the news lineup occurring at the company. Perino was moved to a longer time slot with co-host Bill Hemmer. Stirewalt praised Perino on the change and made no hint that he would be departing the network.
WATCH ALAN DERSHOWITZ: "THERE IS NO CRIME IN MANHATTAN"
But he's not the only high-profile member of the Fox team to be leaving its ranks. Bill Sammon, Fox News Channel senior vice president and Washington, D.C., managing editor, will be dropping at the end of January, according to the Hill, citing confirmation from a spokesperson on Monday. The reason for his leaving is not known.
PUTIN'S LATEST POWER MOVE: RUSSIA DISPLAYS "WAR WINS" IN EYE-OPENING EXHIBITION
Stirewalt has been a predominant figure in the network since he joined it in 2010. In addition to the podcast, he authors the newsletter Halftime Report.
Fox News Channel, which ended 2020 as the most-viewed network in all of basic cable, ended third among cable news channels last week as power shifted in the U.S. Senate and people charged the U.S. Capitol, Nielsen data showed on Tuesday.
HOW DEMOCRATS' ANTI-ISRAEL PROTESTS ARE TURNING INTO THEIR WORST NIGHTMARE
AT&T Inc’s CNN surpassed cable networks with roughly 2.8 million viewers per day from Jan. 4 through Sunday, and 4.2 million in primetime, according to the ratings data.
For that same period, Comcast Corp’s MSNBC attracted 2.3 million per day and 3.8 million in primetime. Fox News, owned by Rupert Murdoch’s Fox Corp, drew about 1.7 million per day and 3.2 million in primetime.
Newsmax, a smaller rival that has been backed by President Trump, said it saw record ratings in primetime of 443,000 for the week. Its total day ratings averaged 294,000. Newsmax does not give full-time news coverage on weekends.
Discover alternative ideas that will make you think
Engage in mind bending debate
Earn points, rise in rank, have fun
