Shepard Smith’s Show Canceled By CNBC, Company Will ‘Refocus’ On Business News

Former Fox News host Shepard Smith has had his new CNBC show canceled by the network after two years on the air.

A memo released Thursday afternoon by CNBC confirmed “The News with Shepard Smith” would be scrapped in order for the company to “refocus” efforts on business-related news.

The former Fox News host is reportedly set to leave CNBC later this month after joining the in a high profile departure from the conservative ratings juggernaut.

“After spending time with many of you and closely reviewing the various aspects of our business, I believe we must prioritize and focus on our core strengths of business news and personal finance,” wrote CNBC President KC Sullivan in an e-mail directed to the company’s staff.

“As a result of this strategic alignment to our core business, we will need to shift some of our priorities and resources and make some difficult decisions,” the email states.

CNBC CANCELS Shepard Smith's show in effort to 'refocus' on business newshttps://t.co/7hvvNrBpGd

— Jack Posobiec 🇺🇸 (@JackPosobiec) November 3, 2022

Along with Smith, the show’s cancellation will affect 20 of his staffers, who will be promptly reassigned throughout CNBC as they air market coverage during what would have been Smith’s 7 pm slot until a new business-related show airs later this year.

“We need to further invest in business news content that provides our audiences actionable understanding of the complex developments in global markets and the implications on institutions, investors and individuals,” Sullivan’s email states.

“While other news organizations such as CNN are going through cost-cutting measures, the decision to replace Smith’s show with a nightly business program is strategic in nature,” they continue. “Sullivan is attempting to clarify CNBC’s brand as specifically targeting business, given the many choices on TV and on the internet for more general news.”

Prior to leaving Fox News in 2020, Smith frequently put out misinformation by declaring proudly that the now-debunked Trump-Russia collusion hoax was true.

“That this is a ruse, that this is ‘fake news,’ is a lie,” said Smith of the now-provably false theory that 45th President Donald Trump colluded with the Russian government to win the 2016 election.

Things aren't looking good for @realDonaldTrump. Even @FoxNews' Shepard Smith and Judge Andrew Napolitano see a clear link to collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia. @ShepNewsTeam @Judgenap pic.twitter.com/iy9xCWImQL

— Andrew Kimmel (@andrewkimmel) January 13, 2019

“It’s crazy what we’re watching every day,” Smith said after one of Trump’s news conferences. “It’s absolutely crazy. He keeps repeating ridiculous, throwaway lines that are not true at all and sort of avoiding this issue of Russia as if we’re some kind of fools for asking the question.”

“Your opposition was hacked and the Russians were responsible for it and your people were on the phone with Russia on the same day it was happening and we’re fools for asking the questions?” Smith said, angrily. “No sir.”

Fox News' Shepard Smith challenges Trump's claims that he has been exonerated of collusion and obstruction of justice in the Russia investigation. https://t.co/HDlss46L4d

— HuffPost (@HuffPost) July 13, 2019

“We have a right to know,” Smith added. “You call us fake news and put us down like children for asking questions on behalf of the American people.”

Following his departure from Fox News, Shepard appears to have continued to develop his penchant for agreeing with the establishment.

Just this week, Smith appeared on his CNBC program, seemingly relieved, to inform his viewers that advertisers are considering leaving Twitter because popular businessman and centrist political figure Elon Musk purchased the platform.

Along with being a fervent apologist for CNN, which he would often insist isn’t “fake news,” Smith has long been critical of the former president and shown open disdain for his supporters.

CNBC’s claimed desire to pivot toward “business” may be similar in spirit to CNN’s reported desire to pivot away from personality and politics driven content that saw major personalities, including Brian Stelter, leave the network.