Megyn Kelly’s NBC Exit and Media Reinvention: From Fallout to a New Empire

In the high-stakes world of American broadcast journalism, few career arcs have been as dramatic—or as instructive—as Megyn Kelly’s. Once one of Fox News’s brightest stars, Kelly’s much-hyped move to NBC in 2017 promised a bold new chapter in mainstream media. But just over a year later, it ended in public controversy, internal clashes, and a stunningly swift exit. Today, that story has taken a very different turn—one that proves a career crisis doesn’t have to be a dead end. In fact, it can be the start of something bigger.

The Meteoric Rise: From Fox News to NBC’s Crown Jewel

Megyn Kelly’s rise to media stardom began at Fox News, where she spent over a decade building a reputation as a sharp, fearless journalist. The Kelly File, her nightly program, was a ratings powerhouse and made her one of the most recognizable faces in cable news. By 2016, her interviews were defining election narratives. When she challenged then-candidate Donald Trump on his treatment of women, it was headline news for days.

In 2017, Kelly left Fox News for NBC with a $20 million contract and high expectations. The move was positioned as a reinvention: she would transition from hard-hitting news into a broader, more “mainstream” role that included both primetime reporting and a morning show spot.

NBC created two platforms for her: Sunday Night with Megyn Kelly, a weekly newsmagazine, and Megyn Kelly Today, which took over the coveted 9 a.m. hour of the Today show. The network’s gamble was that Kelly could bridge the gap between investigative journalist and warm daytime host. But that transition would prove far more difficult than anyone anticipated.

Misfires, Misfits, and Miscalculations

From the outset, Megyn Kelly Today struggled to find its identity. Tasked with delivering light entertainment in a format defined by comfort and relatability, Kelly’s hard-news background often clashed with expectations. Ratings dropped almost immediately—down 13% in total viewership and 25% among adults aged 25–54 compared to the show’s previous hosts, Al Roker and Tamron Hall.

Tension grew behind the scenes. Reports of staff friction, poor morale, and clashes over editorial direction became regular features in trade publications. On-air moments only amplified the disconnect. A 2017 interview with Jane Fonda turned sour after Kelly brought up Fonda’s plastic surgery, prompting backlash and a public feud. Debra Messing later said she regretted appearing on the show, citing discomfort with Kelly’s political past.

Despite efforts to course-correct, the cracks in the show’s foundation widened. NBC had hoped to recast Kelly as an all-purpose media personality—but what they got was a journalist trying to conform to a format that never quite fit.

The Halloween Segment That Changed Everything

Then came the breaking point.

On October 23, 2018, during a panel discussion about Halloween costumes, Kelly questioned why wearing blackface makeup for a character costume was considered offensive, referencing how such practices were once seen as acceptable. While Kelly’s tone was conversational, the backlash was immediate and intense.

NBC colleagues, including Al Roker and Craig Melvin, publicly condemned the remarks. Social media exploded. Within 24 hours, Kelly issued a public apology on-air, followed by a memo to staff acknowledging the harm her comments had caused.

But for NBC, the damage was irreparable. Megyn Kelly Today aired its final episode on October 24—just one day later. NBC announced that the show would not return and replaced the slot with reruns before eventually filling it with other hosts. Internally, Chairman Andrew Lack reportedly told staff the comments were “indefensible” and “inconsistent with NBC’s values.”

The Quiet Exit and Costly Divorce from NBC

Kelly wasn’t formally fired, but her contract was swiftly negotiated to a close. By January 2019, she had exited the network entirely—walking away with a reported $30 million payout, the remainder of her three-year deal. Her exit marked a spectacular end to a partnership that had once promised to redefine her career.

The fallout left Kelly’s public image bruised. Critics accused her of tone-deafness and cultural insensitivity. Supporters argued that she was unfairly targeted in an industry prone to snap judgments and virtue signaling. Either way, the controversy revealed just how quickly a media empire could be built—and dismantled.

The Rebuild: Megyn Kelly, Unfiltered

Rather than fade away, Kelly did what few in her position manage to do: she rebuilt—on her own terms.

In 2020, she launched The Megyn Kelly Show, a podcast and video program that allowed her to speak directly to audiences without the filter of a corporate newsroom. Her style remained tough, unapologetic, and deeply opinionated. But the freedom to control her content gave her a new platform to thrive.

By 2025, the show had ballooned to millions of downloads, a growing YouTube subscriber base of over 3.6 million, and a loyal audience who appreciated her candor—even when they didn’t always agree with her.

She followed that up by founding Devil May Care Media, a production company focused on free speech, cultural critique, and media reform. In 2025, she launched MK Media, a broader podcast and video network aimed at expanding independent commentary in the increasingly decentralized media world.

Lessons from the Fall—and the Rise

Kelly’s NBC departure now reads less like a scandal and more like a transition. Her NBC tenure revealed the mismatch between her strengths—hard-edged reporting, political commentary, legal analysis—and the expectations of morning entertainment. The Halloween controversy was a flashpoint, but the deeper issue was misalignment.

Since then, she’s embraced what she does best: interrogating political narratives, challenging media groupthink, and leaning into controversial debates that legacy outlets often sidestep. While she still draws fire from critics, her independence has allowed her to frame her story without gatekeepers.

“I don’t need permission to speak,” Kelly told one interviewer in 2024. “That’s the beauty of being your own boss.”

The Megyn Kelly of 2025: Redefined, Rebuilt, and Still Resonant

Now, nearly seven years after her NBC fallout, Megyn Kelly is not only back—she’s built a new model. Her shows generate headlines. Her interviews shape conversations. And she’s proven that reinvention is not only possible, but powerful.

For media watchers, Kelly’s journey is a case study in brand resilience. For viewers, it’s a reminder that the platform doesn’t define the voice—the voice defines the platform.

Where she goes next is anyone’s guess. But one thing’s certain: the story of Megyn Kelly is still being written.