Fox News Taps Emily Compagno for Permanent ‘The Five’ Seat Sept 8
Emily Compagno Joins "The Five" as New Co-Host
Big News: Emily Compagno Gets a Permanent Seat at "The Five"
Fox News announced on Monday that Emily Compagno will become a permanent co-host of the popular panel show "The Five."
- Start date: September 8
- Current co-hosts she’ll join: Greg Gutfeld, Dana Perino, Jesse Watters
- Rotating liberal voices: Harold Ford Jr. and Jessica Tarlov
Fox News CEO Suzanne Scott said:
"Fifteen years later, ‘The Five’ remains a powerhouse and appointment viewing for millions of Americans. Emily is a highly accomplished host whose energy and talent have made her a standout across FOX News Media, and we are thrilled to officially welcome her to the show."
Compagno shared her excitement:
"I couldn’t be more honored to join ‘The Five,’ a team I have long admired… Having an official seat at the table on what I truly believe is the most fun show on television is an incredible privilege."
Who Is Emily Compagno?
Emily Compagno isn’t just a TV host—she’s got a pretty impressive résumé. Here’s the quick version:
| Role | Details |
|---|---|
| Fox News Contributor | Joined in 2018 |
| Co-host of "Outnumbered" | Since 2021 (she’s leaving this show) |
| Author | Wrote the 2024 New York Times bestseller "Under His Wings" (Fox News Books) |
| Lawyer | Practiced criminal defense & civil litigation |
| Federal Attorney | Served as Managing Attorney & Acting Director at the Social Security Administration |
| Judicial Extern | Worked for Judge John T. Noonan at the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals |
| NFL Cheerleader | Captain of the Oakland Raiders cheer squad |
| NFL Ambassador | Represented the league internationally |
In short: She’s a lawyer, a former federal official, a pro cheerleader, a bestselling author, and now a primetime cable news host.
Her Journey to This Moment (Step-by-Step)
- 2018 – Joins Fox News as a legal/contributor
- 2021 – Becomes co-host of daytime show "Outnumbered"
- 2024 – Publishes bestselling book "Under His Wings"
- August 2026 – Announced as new permanent co-host of "The Five"
- September 8, 2026 – Official debut on "The Five"
What Is "The Five"?
Think of it like a daily roundtable chat at 5 PM ET where five people debate the day’s biggest stories.
- Format: Panel discussion (opinions, jokes, disagreements)
- Vibe: Fast, lively, sometimes heated—but always entertaining
- Milestone: Just celebrated 15 years on air
- Current lineup: 3 conservatives + 2 rotating liberal voices
Why This Move Matters (Ratings & Impact)
IMPORTANT: "The Five" is basically the king of cable news right now.
Here are the numbers from Q2 2026 (April–June) that prove it:
- Total viewers: 3.6 million (average per episode)
- Key demo (ages 25–54): 322,000 – the group advertisers pay most for
- Market share: 64% of ALL cable news viewers at 5 PM ET
- #1 among Independents
- More Democratic viewers than CNN and MSNBC
That’s not just winning—that’s dominating.
What Happens to "Outnumbered"?
Since Compagno is leaving "Outnumbered" to join "The Five," her seat there will be temporarily filled by a rotating group of Fox News personalities until a permanent replacement is named.
- No immediate permanent replacement announced
- Expect guest co-hosts for now
Key Takeaways (Callout)
QUICK RECAP
- Emily Compagno = new permanent co-host of "The Five" starting Sept. 8
- She’s leaving "Outnumbered" (rotating hosts will fill in)
- "The Five" is cable news’ #1 show (3.6M viewers, 64% share)
- Compagno brings law, government, sports, and TV experience
- The show mixes conservative + liberal voices daily at 5 PM ET
Summary
Fox News just made a major lineup move: Emily Compagno is sliding into a full-time chair on "The Five," the highest-rated show in cable news. She’s got a one-of-a-kind background—lawyer, federal official, NFL cheerleader, bestselling author—and she’s been a rising star at Fox since 2018. Her first official day is September 8. Meanwhile, "Outnumbered" will use guest hosts until they pick her replacement. With 3.6 million viewers and a 64% stranglehold on the 5 PM hour, "The Five" just got even stronger.
FAQ
1. When does Emily Compagno start on "The Five"?
Her first day as a permanent co-host is September 8, 2026.
2. Who are the other hosts on "The Five"?
The main table includes Greg Gutfeld, Dana Perino, and Jesse Watters. The liberal perspective rotates between Harold Ford Jr. and Jessica Tarlov.
3. Why is she leaving "Outnumbered"?
She’s moving to a higher-profile, primetime-adjacent slot on "The Five." Fox hasn’t named her permanent replacement yet.
4. How popular is "The Five" really?
It’s the most-watched program in all of cable news—averaging 3.6 million viewers and commanding 64% of the entire cable news audience at 5 PM ET.
5. What makes Emily Compagno unique?
Very few TV hosts can say they’ve been a federal attorney, an NFL cheer captain, a bestselling author, and a daily news anchor—all before age 45.