You’ve probably seen the headlines floating around social media or heard the whispers in your group chat. People are asking the same question: Is he finally done? The chatter about Sean Hannity leaving Fox News has reached a fever pitch lately, but if you look at the actual numbers and the recent moves he’s made, the reality is a lot more nuanced than a simple "goodbye."
Honestly, it’s easy to get confused.
In early 2024, Hannity looked straight into the camera and said, "I am out. I am done. I’m finished." That sounds like a resignation, right? Wrong. He wasn't talking about his job. He was talking about New York.
The Great Migration to the "Free State"
For decades, the face of Fox News’ 9 PM hour was synonymous with a Manhattan studio. But Hannity basically got fed up with the politics and the taxes of the Empire State. He packed up his life and moved his entire operation to Florida. This move was huge. It wasn’t just a vacation; he relocated his primary residence and built a high-tech studio in the Sunshine State to keep his broadcast streak alive.
He's now neighbors with Donald Trump. Literally.
When people search for Sean Hannity leaving Fox News, they are often reacting to that specific "I'm finished" clip. But he was finishing his relationship with New York, not the network. In fact, as of early 2026, he is still very much the king of the 9 PM slot.
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Ratings Don't Lie
Why would Fox let him go? They wouldn't.
According to Nielsen data from late 2025, Hannity averaged around 3.2 million viewers. He’s consistently dominating his time slot, often beating out the combined viewership of his direct competitors on other cable news networks. When you bring in that much revenue and keep that many eyeballs glued to the screen, you don't just walk away—and the network certainly doesn't show you the door.
- 2025 Average Viewers: 3.2 million
- Primary Studio Location: Palm Beach, Florida
- Network Tenure: 29+ years (since 1996)
The guy is a pillar of the 1996 "founding class" of Fox News. With the departure of names like Bill O'Reilly and Tucker Carlson over the years, Hannity has become the ultimate survivor. He’s the longest-running primetime host in cable news history. That's a lot of institutional memory to just toss aside.
What Most People Get Wrong About the "Departure" Rumors
There is a sort of "boy who cried wolf" vibe with these rumors. Every few years, a report surfaces claiming he's being "courted" by a new conservative network or that he's tired of the grind.
In 2017, when Bill Shine left the network, people swore Hannity was next. He stayed.
In 2023, after the Dominion lawsuit settlement, people swore the "purge" would include him. He stayed.
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The Fox Nation Expansion
If anything, he's doubling down. In late 2024, Fox announced a new long-form interview show simply titled Sean on their streaming service, Fox Nation. The first episode featured Sylvester Stallone. This isn't what a man looks like when he's planning an exit strategy. It’s a diversification. He's moving into the "lifestyle and legend" space while keeping his foot firmly on the gas of his nightly political commentary.
It’s kinda fascinating how he manages the workload. He’s doing three hours of radio every day followed by an hour of live TV at night. Most people would be burnt out by 64, but he seems to thrive on the chaos of the news cycle.
The Contract Situation
Specifics on his current contract are always kept under wraps, but industry insiders like Forbes have estimated his annual earnings from Fox at roughly $25 million. When you add his Premiere Networks radio deal, he’s one of the highest-paid media personalities in the world.
Money talks.
Unless there is a massive editorial shift at Fox—something that moves them away from the "opinion-first" primetime block—there is no logical reason for a split. The relationship is symbiotic. Fox gives him the platform; he gives Fox the base.
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Is There Any Truth to the Exit Talk?
While he isn't "leaving" in the sense of quitting, he is certainly distancing himself from the corporate headquarters. Being in Florida gives him a level of autonomy he didn't have in New York. He can record his radio show, hit the gym (he’s famously into mixed martial arts), and go live for his TV show without ever stepping foot in a Midtown elevator.
That autonomy might look like "leaving" to an outsider, but it’s actually just the ultimate work-from-home setup.
Future Outlook and Actionable Steps
So, if you’re trying to keep track of Sean Hannity leaving Fox News, here is the deal. He’s not gone. He’s just moved. If you want to follow his career accurately without falling for the clickbait, you should focus on his secondary platforms.
- Check the Fox Nation lineup. This is where he’s doing his "legacy" work, and any shift in his frequency there would be a real indicator of his future plans.
- Monitor the radio syndication. Often, big media moves start in radio. If he ever reduces his iHeartRadio hours, that’s a sign he’s finally looking for the exit.
- Watch the guest list. When a host starts having more "non-political" celebrities on, they are usually trying to soften their image for a broader post-politics career. The Stallone interview was a major pivot.
Don't believe every "breaking news" tweet you see about a departure. Until you see an official press release from Fox News Media or a final "farewell" broadcast from the Palm Beach studio, the 9 PM king isn't going anywhere. He’s just enjoying the Florida sun and the no-state-income-tax life while the rest of the media world speculates from the cold streets of New York.
Keep an eye on his Fox Nation long-form series Sean for a glimpse into his life outside the political boxing ring. It’s the clearest indicator yet that while his location has changed, his presence on the network is as solid as ever.