What Happened to The Five (Fox News program)?

The program "The Five" launched on July 11, 2011, as an experimental, temporary summer replacement for Glenn Beck's vacated 5 p.m. ET time slot on Fox News. The show's innovative format, featuring a roundtable of five rotating personalities engaging in discussions on timely news, political issues, and pop culture, quickly garnered significant viewership. Its unexpected popularity led Fox News to announce in October 2011 that "The Five" would become a permanent series.

The enduring success of "The Five" is largely attributed to its distinctive format, which was a novel approach in cable news at its inception. The show emphasizes the genuine chemistry and camaraderie among its diverse panel of hosts, which includes both conservative and liberal voices. This dynamic allows for lively and often spirited debates while maintaining a tone of respectful discourse, a quality that resonates with a broad audience. Co-host Greg Gutfeld has frequently highlighted that the show's ability to avoid excessive self-seriousness and to offer unpredictable, free-flowing conversations contributes significantly to its longevity and appeal.

Key turning points in the show's history include its initial launch as a temporary program on July 11, 2011, and its subsequent confirmation as a permanent series on October 3, 2011, following impressive ratings. In April 2017, "The Five" briefly moved to the 9 p.m. hour after the cancellation of "The O'Reilly Factor," but it returned to its original 5 p.m. slot in September 2017 due to strong viewer preference. Significant changes to its host lineup have occurred over the years, including the departure of Andrea Tantaros in 2014, Bob Beckel's firing in May 2017, and Kimberly Guilfoyle's departure in July 2018. In January 2022, Jeanine Pirro was named a co-host, alongside the introduction of Jessica Tarlov and Harold Ford Jr. as regular alternating liberal co-hosts. Geraldo Rivera departed in June 2023, and Jeanine Pirro left in May 2025 after being appointed U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia.

The consequences of "The Five's" sustained popularity are evident in its consistent ranking as the most-watched program in cable news for several consecutive years, frequently surpassing even primetime shows and major broadcast network programs. Its success has also played a role in popularizing the personality-driven panel discussion format across the cable news landscape.

As of August 17, 2026, "The Five" continues to be a dominant force in cable news. The program celebrated its 15th anniversary in July 2026, marking a significant milestone in its ongoing run as the genre's most-watched show. For the second quarter of 2026, it maintained an average of 3.575 million total viewers, solidifying its position at the top of cable news programming. The current permanent co-hosts are Greg Gutfeld, Dana Perino, and Jesse Watters, with Jessica Tarlov and Harold Ford Jr. continuing in their roles as alternating hosts. The show airs live weekdays at 5 p.m. ET, maintaining its successful format and high viewership.