Fox News Shakes Up ‘The Five’: Emily Compagno Takes the Chair Sept. 8
Emily Compagno Joins "The Five" as New Permanent Co-Host
Big News from Fox News
Fox News just announced an exciting change to one of their most popular shows! Emily Compagno is officially becoming a permanent co-host on "The Five." She’ll start her new role on September 8th.
Important Point: This is a big deal because "The Five" is currently the #1 most-watched show on all of cable news!
Who Is Emily Compagno?
Emily isn’t new to Fox News — she’s been part of the family for years. Here’s her journey:
- 2018: Joined Fox News as a contributor (someone who appears regularly to share opinions)
- 2021: Became a co-host on "Outnumbered" (another Fox News show)
- 2024: Published a New York Times bestseller called "Under His Wings"
- Now: Moving to a permanent seat on "The Five"!
Before TV: A Pretty Cool Resume
Emily has done a LOT of different jobs before becoming a TV host:
- Lawyer — She practiced criminal defense and civil litigation (that means she argued cases in court!)
- Federal Attorney — Worked as a managing attorney and Acting Director at the Social Security Administration
- Judicial Extern — Worked with a respected judge at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
- NFL Cheerleader — Was captain of the Oakland Raiders cheerleading squad!
- NFL Ambassador — Represented the league internationally
Fun Fact: Not many TV hosts can say they’ve been both a federal attorney AND an NFL cheerleader captain!
What Is "The Five"?
Think of "The Five" like a roundtable discussion with friends — but on national TV. Five hosts sit around a table and talk about the day’s biggest news stories, politics, and culture.
The Current Team
| Host | Role |
|---|---|
| Greg Gutfeld | Longtime co-host |
| Dana Perino | Longtime co-host (former White House Press Secretary!) |
| Jesse Watters | Longtime co-host |
| Harold Ford Jr. | Rotating co-host (fills the "liberal seat") |
| Jessica Tarlov | Rotating co-host (fills the "liberal seat") |
| Emily Compagno | NEW permanent co-host starting Sept. 8! |
The "liberal seat" means they rotate hosts with different political viewpoints to keep the conversation balanced.
Why This Matters: The Numbers Don’t Lie
"The Five" isn’t just popular — it’s dominating cable news:
- 3.6 million total viewers on average (Q2 2026)
- 322,000 viewers in the key 25-54 age group (advertisers love this group!)
- 64% share of ALL cable news viewers in the 5 PM ET timeslot
- Just celebrated its 15-year anniversary last month
Surprising Audience Stats
- More Democratic viewers watch "The Five" than CNN or MSNBC
- #1 program among Independents (people who don’t strongly identify with either party)
What Happens to "Outnumbered"?
Since Emily is moving to "The Five," she’ll step down from "Outnumbered."
- A rotation of Fox News personalities will fill her seat temporarily
- A permanent replacement will be named later
What the Bosses Are Saying
Suzanne Scott, Fox News CEO:
"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."
Emily Compagno:
"I couldn’t be more honored to join ‘The Five,’ a team I have long admired and have been fortunate to work alongside over the years. Having an official seat at the table on what I truly believe is the most fun show on television is an incredible privilege. I am grateful for the opportunity and can’t wait to get started."
Summary
| What Happened | Details |
|---|---|
| Who | Emily Compagno |
| What | Named permanent co-host of "The Five" |
| When | Starts September 8th |
| Why It Matters | "The Five" is cable news’ #1 show with 3.6M viewers |
| Background | Lawyer, federal attorney, NFL cheerleader captain, bestselling author |
| Leaving | Steps down from "Outnumbered" (co-host since 2021) |
FAQ
What time does "The Five" air?
A: It airs at 5 PM ET on weekdays on Fox News Channel.
Is Emily Compagno replacing someone?
A: Not exactly — she’s adding a sixth permanent voice to the table. The show has had five main hosts plus rotating guests, and now she gets a permanent seat.
What does "co-host" mean vs. "contributor"?
A: A contributor appears occasionally to give expert opinions. A co-host is there every day, helping run the show and guide conversations.
Why does the show have a "liberal seat"?
A: To make sure different political perspectives are represented. Harold Ford Jr. and Jessica Tarlov rotate in that seat to provide viewpoints that might differ from the other hosts.
Can I watch clips online if I don’t have cable?
A: Yes! Fox News posts clips on their website, YouTube channel, and the Fox News app (which you can download for free).
Article based on reporting by Joseph A. Wulfsohn, Fox News Digital media reporter.