Fox News has canceled its long-running weekend media criticism program “MediaBuzz,” ending Howard Kurtz’ 12-year tenure as host of the Sunday morning show. The network announced the programming changes on September 10, 2025, as part of a broader weekend lineup overhaul.

Kurtz, 71, will transition to a contributor role at Fox News and continue hosting his “Media Buzzmeter” podcast while writing for Fox News Digital. The veteran media reporter expressed pride in the program’s performance, stating it was “number one for over 12 years and built a loyal audience.”

“MediaBuzz” will be replaced by “The Sunday Briefing,” airing Sundays at 11 a.m. and featuring Washington correspondents Jacqui Heinrich and Peter Doocy in rotating anchor roles. The new program focuses specifically on White House coverage, examining national and international moves by the Trump administration and key policy issues.

The show’s cancellation comes months after President Donald Trump publicly criticized Kurtz in a May 2025 Truth Social post. Trump expressed frustration with what he perceived as weak defense during a “MediaBuzz” panel discussing the ousting of then-national security adviser Mike Waltz. The president declared it was time for Kurtz to retire, stating that the case the host made for him was pathetic and would be better if he remained silent.

Trump’s criticism sparked backlash from his supporters against Kurtz, who defended himself on social media by noting his 35-year relationship with Trump and pointing out that the president continued granting him interviews. Kurtz indicated that those attacking him were not interested in fairness.

The cancellation marks the end of media criticism programming on major national television news networks. CNN had previously canceled “Reliable Sources” in 2022 as part of cost-cutting measures under Warner Bros. Discovery. Kurtz hosted that program before joining Fox News in 2013, with the show being one of CNN’s longest-running programs.

Industry analysts noted that audiences for media criticism programs have largely migrated to newsletters and digital properties. CNN continues publishing “Reliable Sources” as a five-days-a-week newsletter, while traditional television formats have struggled to maintain viewership in this segment.

Fox News President and Executive Editor Jay Wallace praised Kurtz’s contributions in a statement, describing him as having served as the lead authority for media coverage in cable news for more than a decade. Wallace indicated the network looked forward to continuing Kurtz’s analysis across their programming in his new contributor role.

The weekend programming changes extend beyond Kurtz’s departure. Former Trump White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany will host “Saturday in America” from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturdays while maintaining her co-host position on “Outnumbered.” Griff Jenkins has been named permanent co-host of “Fox & Friends Weekend,” filling a role that had used rotating anchors since Pete Hegseth’s departure to join the Trump administration.

“The Big Weekend Show” will expand to three hours on both Saturdays and Sundays, running from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., with Johnny Joey Jones and Tomi Lahren joining as permanent hosts. The multi-host program typically features four panelists discussing weekly news developments.

Kurtz began his media criticism career in 1990, working for outlets including The Washington Post and The Daily Beast before his 15-year stint on CNN’s “Reliable Sources.” He joined Fox News in July 2013, launching “MediaBuzz” as part of the network’s weekend programming.

The veteran journalist’s career has faced scrutiny over several high-profile errors, including inaccurately reporting about NBA player Jason Collins’ engagement status in 2013 and misattributing quotes to political figures. These mistakes contributed to his departure from The Daily Beast in 2013, the same year he joined Fox News.

The new weekend programming lineup takes effect beginning September 20, 2025. Wallace emphasized the changes underscore Fox News Media’s commitment to delivering comprehensive coverage while reinforcing its position as a leader in both news and opinion content.