Fox News Taps Tucker Carlson to Replace Megyn Kelly

Fox News has tapped Tucker Carlson to replace Megyn Kelly in the 9 p.m. anchor slot on Fox News, elevating the veteran conservative journalist to a more powerful perch on the top-rated cable news channel.

Ms. Kelly, who had become a sensation at Fox News after a 12-year career, announced this week she is leaving for NBC News, where she will host a weekly news program and a daytime show. Her last Fox News show is Friday evening.

Mr. Carlson, 47 years old, recently joined Fox News to take over the 7 p.m. slot vacated by Greta Van Susteren. He has written for a variety of media outlets over the years and gained national prominence as one of the hosts of CNN's Crossfire, representing the political right. In recent years, he co-founded the conservative site the Daily Caller.

Mr. Carlson will take over for Ms. Kelly starting Monday. Fox News personality Martha MacCallum will take over at 7 p.m. at least initially for the first three months of Donald Trump's presidency with a show called "The First 100 Days," according to Fox News.

Drudge Report first reported news of Mr. Carlson's appointment.

Even for the fast-moving world of television news, Fox News moved extraordinarily quickly in finding and naming Ms. Kelly's successor. The brisk pace is consistent with the management style of Rupert Murdoch, chairman of Fox News and co-executive chairman of its parent company, 21st Century Fox Inc.

Although Mr. Murdoch hasn't been in Fox News' New York headquarters this week, he was calling the shots on how to replace Ms. Kelly, a person familiar with the matter said.

"In less than two months, Tucker has taken cable news by storm with his spirited interviews and consistently strong performance," Mr. Murdoch said in a press release. "Viewers have overwhelmingly responded to the show and we look forward to him being a part of Fox News' powerful primetime lineup."

21st Century Fox and Wall Street Journal-owner News Corp share common ownership.

Write to Joe Flint at joe.flint@wsj.com