Megyn Kelly left NBC in 2018 after hosting several high-profile programs, including Today and Megyn Kelly Today. Her departure followed a combination of public controversy, strategic shifts at the network, and evolving audience expectations in a competitive media landscape.
This article outlines the key timeline of her exit, the role of specific on air moments, comparisons with peers, and the business impact on NBC. Each section is designed to explain what happened and why it mattered for the network and for her career.
| Name | Role at NBC | Tenure | Key Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Megyn Kelly | Anchor, Today Show; Host, Megyn Kelly Today | 2003–2018 | Departed after controversy and restructuring |
| Matt Lauer | Co-anchor, Today Show | 2017–2017Termination amid misconduct allegations | |
| Al Roker | Weather anchor, Today Show | 1996–ongoingContinued role beyond 2018 | |
| Savannah Guthrie | Co-anchor, Today Show | 2012–ongoingStable co-anchor position post-2018 |
The Megan Kelly Today Controversy
The program Megyn Kelly Today became central to understanding why Megyn Kelly left NBC. Launched in 2017, the show struggled to find both clear positioning and consistent viewership compared to entrenched competitors in the daytime and morning talk space.
Specific segments and remarks on the show drew criticism for being perceived as tone deaf, which pressured leadership to reconsider her role and the program’s future on the network schedule.
Impact of the #MeToo Movement
Network Climate Shift
The #MeToo movement reshaped expectations across media organizations, including NBC. Anchors and hosts faced heightened scrutiny over past comments and behavior, which influenced decisions around talent and brand alignment.
Megyn Kelly became entangled in this broader conversation when remarks from earlier in her career resurfaced, contributing to a narrative that conflicted with the network’s efforts to adapt to new cultural standards.
NBC Morning Show Restructuring
Amid falling ratings and internal debate, NBC pursued a restructuring of morning and daytime programming. Executives evaluated multiple hosts and formats, weighing cost, audience draw, and long term strategic fit in the evolving media environment.
For Megyn Kelly, the restructuring meant her show did not receive the renewed commitment or format evolution needed to remain competitive, accelerating the decision to part ways with the network.
Comparisons with NBC Peers
Industry observers frequently compared Megyn Kelly Today with other morning and daytime programs to assess performance and audience fit. The table below highlights how her show measured against key peers in the period leading up to her departure.
| Program | Average Viewers (Live+Same Day, millions) | Key Host | Status in 2018 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Megyn Kelly Today | 2.5 | Megyn Kelly | Cancelled, host departed |
| Today | 13.0 | Savannah Guthrie, Hoda Kotb, Al Roker | Stable |
| The View | 4.0 | ABC Panel | Strong on ABC |
| The Talk | 2.0 | CBS Panel | Consistent |
Key Takeaways for Media Professionals
- Monitor how cultural moments reshape audience expectations for hosts.
- Evaluate program performance relative to network goals and competitive set.
- Recognize that talent decisions often reflect strategic shifts, not only individual incidents.
- Understand the importance of clear positioning for daytime and morning programs.
- Track public sentiment and media coverage as early indicators of risk.
FAQ
Reader questions
Did Megyn Kelly get fired from NBC?
Her show was cancelled and she departed after a period of restructuring and controversy, rather than a single definitive firing episode.
What specific controversy led to her leaving NBC?
A combination of critical reception for Megyn Kelly Today and resurfaced comments from earlier in her career created reputational risk that the network chose not to retain.
How did NBC’s morning show landscape change after she left? NBC pivoted toward its established Today Show lineup and invested in existing hosts, scaling back experimental daytime formats that had centered on her brand. How did her departure compare to other high profile exits at NBC around that time?
Like Matt Lauer, her exit reflected broader pressures around talent management, but it was tied more to programming strategy and cultural context than a single misconduct allegation.