Billy Bush Lands New Fox News Gig: Here’s What He’ll Be Doing

NEW YORK — September 22, 2026: Television and podcast host Billy Bush is taking on a new role at Fox News Media, nearly a decade after his departure from NBC’s Today and years after building a second chapter of his career in entertainment television and digital media.

Fox News Media announced Tuesday that Bush has joined the company as a contributor. In his new position, he is expected to appear across Fox News Media platforms and provide cultural analysis on topics ranging from entertainment and pop culture to major events and current issues.

Bush will make his Fox News Channel debut Tuesday night on “Jesse Watters Primetime,” which airs at 8 p.m. ET.

The move gives Fox News a familiar television personality with decades of experience covering celebrities, entertainment, live events and popular culture. It also represents a return to a major television network for Bush after several years focused on syndicated television, podcasting and digital programming.

“I’m excited to join FOX News Media and its loyal audience to share my perspective on the people, ideas and moments shaping today’s culture… as well as the ones trying to undo it!” Bush said in a statement announcing the move.

What Will Billy Bush Do at Fox News?

Bush’s new position is officially described as a contributor role.

According to Fox News, he will appear across the company’s platforms and provide cultural analysis across its programming. That means viewers should expect Bush to discuss entertainment, celebrities, pop culture and broader cultural conversations rather than simply work as a traditional breaking-news anchor.

His background makes the position a natural extension of the work he has done throughout his career.

Bush has spent years interviewing celebrities, reporting from major entertainment events and hosting programs focused on popular culture. His experience includes coverage of the Golden Globes, Grammys and Academy Awards, as well as the Olympics.

He has also developed experience discussing politics and current events through his more recent digital work.

The exact schedule of his future Fox News appearances has not been fully detailed, but the company says he will appear across its platforms.

Billy Bush’s Fox News Debut

Bush’s first scheduled appearance as a Fox News contributor is on “Jesse Watters Primetime” on Tuesday, September 22.

The program airs at 8 p.m. Eastern Time on Fox News Channel.

His debut gives Fox News viewers an immediate opportunity to see how the longtime entertainment host fits into the network’s programming.

While Bush has traditionally been associated with entertainment news, his current digital program covers a much wider range of subjects.

That experience could allow him to move between celebrity stories, cultural trends, sports, technology and major news events.

Fox News has not announced that Bush will receive a permanent standalone television program. Instead, his current role is that of a contributor who can appear on different programs and platforms.

From Entertainment News to Fox News

Billy Bush’s television career stretches back decades.

He became widely known as an entertainment reporter and host, particularly through his work with Access Hollywood.

He later became a prominent television personality through Access Hollywood Live and eventually moved to NBC’s Today.

After leaving NBC, Bush returned to entertainment television and became host of Extra, where he spent five seasons.

His most recent work has focused on his own digital program, “Hot Mics with Billy Bush.”

That program covers a wide range of subjects, including sports, politics, entertainment, technology and pop culture.

His Fox News role therefore represents another stage in an already varied broadcasting career.

Bush’s Career Before Fox News

Bush began his broadcasting career in radio before moving into television.

He worked in radio in New Hampshire and Washington, D.C., before becoming associated with entertainment programming.

He later joined Access Hollywood, where he became one of the recognizable correspondents covering Hollywood.

During his entertainment career, Bush interviewed some of the biggest names in film, television and music.

He also became a familiar presence at major award shows and live events.

His experience includes reporting from the Golden Globes, Grammys and Academy Awards.

He also covered the Olympics for NBC between 2004 and 2016 and reported on Prince William’s wedding to Catherine Middleton for NBC News.

That background is now part of the experience he brings to Fox News Media.

His Time on NBC’s Today Show

In 2016, Bush became co-host of the third hour of NBC’s Today.

The appointment represented a significant step in his television career.

However, his tenure on the program was short-lived.

Later that year, a recording from 2005 involving Bush and then-presidential candidate Donald Trump resurfaced during the 2016 presidential campaign.

The recording became the subject of widespread national attention and criticism.

Bush subsequently left NBC’s Today.

The episode became one of the most significant turning points in his career and remained associated with his public profile for years afterward.

The 2005 Access Hollywood Recording

The recording at the center of the controversy was made in 2005 while Bush was working for Access Hollywood.

Bush and Trump were recorded having a private conversation before an entertainment segment.

The recording was not publicly released until 2016, more than a decade after it was made.

Once it became public, the conversation generated significant controversy during the presidential campaign.

NBC ultimately parted ways with Bush, and his time on Today came to an end.

The incident became a defining moment in his career and had a major impact on his professional trajectory.

Nearly 10 years later, Bush is now returning to a major television network through Fox News Media.

Bush Later Returned to Television

After leaving NBC, Bush spent several years away from mainstream network television.

He eventually returned to entertainment broadcasting.

In 2019, he became the host of Extra, the syndicated entertainment news program.

Bush remained with the program for five seasons, leaving in 2025 as he shifted more attention toward his independent digital work.

His time at Extra helped reestablish him as an entertainment broadcaster after the controversy surrounding his departure from NBC.

During those years, he continued interviewing celebrities and covering entertainment news.

The Rise of Hot Mics with Billy Bush

More recently, Bush has focused on his own digital program, “Hot Mics with Billy Bush.”

The show has given him an opportunity to cover subjects outside traditional entertainment reporting.

Episodes have included discussions about criminal cases, court proceedings, sports, politics, technology, celebrities and other current events.

The program’s recent episodes demonstrate the broad range of subjects Bush has been covering.

For example, recent episodes have examined legal cases and high-profile cultural controversies, while others have focused on entertainment and major news developments.

That broader experience is relevant to his new Fox News contributor position.

What Is Cultural Analysis?

Fox News says Bush will provide cultural analysis across its programming.

Cultural analysis generally involves examining trends in entertainment, celebrity culture, public behavior, media, technology and broader changes in society.

For Bush, this could include discussing major entertainment stories, celebrity news, viral moments and cultural debates.

His long experience in entertainment journalism gives him a background in identifying and explaining stories that attract public attention.

His podcast has also expanded his work into subjects that go beyond Hollywood.

Bush’s Experience With Live Events

One of Bush’s biggest professional strengths is his experience covering live events.

Over the years, he has reported from major award ceremonies, sporting events and international occasions.

His Olympics coverage is particularly notable.

Bush covered the Olympic Games for NBC from 2004 through 2016.

He also covered the wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton for NBC News.

These experiences required live reporting, interviews and the ability to react quickly as events unfolded.

That skill set can be useful in a contributor role where appearances may occur around rapidly developing stories.

His Experience With Celebrity Interviews

Bush has spent much of his career interviewing actors, musicians, athletes and other public figures.

During his years with Access Hollywood and Extra, he regularly covered Hollywood’s biggest events.

He interviewed celebrities on red carpets, at movie premieres and during major award seasons.

That experience could give him a different perspective from contributors who primarily come from political journalism or traditional cable news.

Fox News’ decision to bring Bush aboard comes as the network continues to feature entertainment and culture alongside its traditional news and political programming.

Why Fox News Is Adding Bush

Fox News has not described Bush’s hiring as the launch of a separate entertainment division.

Instead, the network says he will contribute across its platforms.

The move gives Fox News access to a television personality with established experience in entertainment and pop culture.

It also allows the network to draw on Bush’s existing audience and his experience producing digital content.

Variety described the hiring as a possible indication that Fox News Media is interested in expanding its cultural and entertainment coverage.

Bush’s Own Statement About the New Role

Bush said he is excited to join Fox News Media and its audience.

His statement emphasized his interest in discussing people, ideas and moments that are shaping contemporary culture.

He also referred to stories and developments that are attempting to change or reverse cultural trends.

The wording reflects the broader scope of his recent work.

Rather than focusing only on entertainment headlines, Bush’s current programming has explored controversial and newsworthy topics across multiple categories.

Will Bush Continue His Podcast?

Current reporting indicates that Bush is expected to continue his independent ventures alongside his new Fox News role.

His Hot Mics with Billy Bush program remains active, with recent episodes published in September 2026.

The program has continued releasing episodes covering major news and cultural stories.

That means his Fox News position does not appear to represent a complete departure from his independent digital career.

Instead, the two roles can potentially operate alongside each other.

A Different Role Than His Previous TV Jobs

Bush’s Fox News position is different from his earlier roles at NBC, Access Hollywood and Extra.

At Today, he was a co-host.

At Extra, he served as the main host of an entertainment news program.

At Fox News, he is joining as a contributor.

That means he is not taking over an existing anchor desk or replacing a regular prime-time host.

Instead, his role gives the network flexibility to use him on different programs depending on the story.

His first appearance on Jesse Watters Primetime is an example of that approach.

What Viewers Can Expect

Viewers can expect Bush’s Fox News appearances to focus heavily on culture and entertainment.

Possible areas include:

• Celebrity news
• Hollywood
• Television and film
• Music
• Sports culture
• Social media trends
• Technology and popular culture
• Major cultural debates
• Live entertainment events
• High-profile personalities

The exact topics will depend on the news cycle and the programs where Bush appears.

Fox News has confirmed that he will appear across its platforms rather than being assigned exclusively to one program.

Bush’s Broad Media Background

Another important part of Bush’s new role is the breadth of his media experience.

He has worked in radio, television, syndicated programming and digital media.

His career has included:

• Radio broadcasting
• Entertainment reporting
• Television hosting
• Network morning television
• Sports coverage
• Olympic coverage
• Podcasting
• Digital video
• Live-event reporting

That range gives him experience with several different formats.

His transition to Fox News therefore continues a career that has repeatedly moved between different areas of broadcasting.

From Access Hollywood to Fox News

Bush’s professional journey has come full circle in some ways.

He first became widely recognized through entertainment news.

Years later, he is returning to a major media organization in a role that again focuses substantially on culture and entertainment.

The difference is that his new role is broader than the traditional celebrity-news format.

Fox News describes his assignment as cultural analysis, while Bush’s own digital program already covers a mixture of entertainment, sports, politics, technology and current events.

That makes his new role a continuation of an evolution that has been taking place in his career over recent years.

The Timing of His Fox News Move

Bush’s announcement comes in September 2026, nearly 10 years after the controversy that ended his time at NBC.

The timing makes the move particularly notable because he has spent much of the intervening period rebuilding his career in television and digital media.

His years at Extra provided a return to mainstream entertainment television.

His podcast then gave him an independent platform.

Now Fox News is providing another major network opportunity.

A Decade After the NBC Controversy

The 2016 controversy remains an important part of Bush’s career history.

However, his professional path since then has included years of television work and the development of his own digital programming.

The Fox News appointment marks another major television opportunity.

Entertainment Weekly described the move as Bush’s return to network television about a decade after the controversy involving the 2005 recording became public.

His new position is therefore being viewed not simply as another media job, but as another major stage in a long-running career.

Bush Has Discussed His Past

Bush has spoken publicly about the events surrounding his departure from NBC.

In later years, he has discussed his role in the 2005 conversation and reflected on the decisions he made at the time.

His public comments about the incident have become part of his effort to explain that period of his career.

His new Fox News position comes after years of rebuilding his professional profile.

Fox News and Entertainment Coverage

Fox News is primarily known for news and opinion programming, but the network also covers entertainment, celebrity stories and popular culture.

Bush’s arrival adds another recognizable entertainment television personality to that coverage.

His experience with Hollywood and live events could help the network expand conversations around celebrities and culture.

Rather than replacing traditional political or news reporting, his role is designed to add another type of perspective to the network’s programming.

The Significance of His First Appearance

Bush’s first appearance on Jesse Watters Primetime will offer an early indication of how Fox News plans to use him.

The program provides a prime-time platform with a large national audience.

Bush’s appearance will also introduce him to Fox News viewers who may know him primarily from Today, Access Hollywood or Extra.

His presence on the program demonstrates that his contributor role can extend beyond traditional entertainment shows.

What Happens Next for Billy Bush?

Bush’s immediate schedule will involve appearances across Fox News Media platforms.

The network has not announced a separate daily show or permanent time slot for him.

Instead, he will contribute when his experience and perspective are relevant to the programming.

At the same time, he is expected to continue his Hot Mics with Billy Bush work.

That combination gives Bush two distinct media platforms: his independent digital operation and his new position with a major cable news organization.

Billy Bush’s New Chapter

The Fox News appointment marks another chapter in a career that has gone through several major transitions.

Bush began in radio, became an entertainment reporter, moved into network television, hosted Extra, developed an independent podcast and now joins Fox News Media as a contributor.

His career has therefore expanded beyond a traditional entertainment-news path.

His current work combines celebrity coverage with discussions of current events and culture.

The Fox News role gives him another opportunity to use that experience before a national television audience.

Final Takeaway

Billy Bush has officially joined Fox News Media as a contributor, giving the longtime television and entertainment host a new role nearly 10 years after his departure from NBC’s Today.

Fox News says Bush will appear across its platforms and provide cultural analysis covering the people, ideas and moments influencing contemporary culture. His first scheduled appearance is on “Jesse Watters Primetime” on September 22 at 8 p.m. ET.

The move follows a long broadcasting career that includes Access Hollywood, NBC’s Today, Extra, radio and extensive coverage of major entertainment and sporting events.

Bush most recently hosted Hot Mics with Billy Bush, a digital program that covers entertainment, sports, politics, technology and other current topics. Recent episodes demonstrate the wide range of subjects he has been discussing outside traditional entertainment television.

His Fox News role is officially a contributor position rather than a new standalone television show. He is expected to appear across Fox News Media programming and bring his background in entertainment, celebrity interviews and live-event coverage to the network.

The appointment also represents a significant professional return to major network television following the controversy surrounding the 2005 Access Hollywood recording that became public during the 2016 presidential campaign and led to his departure from Today.

For Fox News, Bush brings decades of experience in entertainment journalism and live television. For Bush, the position provides another national platform at a time when his independent digital work has expanded into broader discussions about culture and current events.

His first appearance on Jesse Watters Primetime will be the first public look at how the network plans to use him in his new role.

For now, the confirmed details are straightforward: Billy Bush is joining Fox News Media as a contributor, he will provide cultural analysis across the network’s programming, and his first appearance is scheduled for September 22 on “Jesse Watters Primetime.”