Crier to ankle FNC
Newscaster to host legal skein on Court TV
Crier is one of FNC's higher-profile on-air talents.
Court TV signed Crier, a veteran of CNN and ABC News, to a three-year deal for about $700,000 per year.
Crier's contract with FNC, which paid her about $500,000 per year, expires in September.
Crier, the host of FNC's "The Crier Report," said she had discussed the possibility of extending her contract with FNC chairman and CEO Roger Ailes. However, Crier said that the opportunity to return to her first love -- the law -- was extremely appealing.
Before joining CNN in 1990, Crier was a state judge in Texas. Prior to donning the black robes, she was a civil litigation attorney in Dallas. She also served in the Dallas district attorney's office.
"Roger Ailes and I have gotten along great," Crier told Daily Variety. "When this opportunity came up, he understood about my passion for the law."
However, Crier's relationship with FNC brass has not always been hunky-dory.
Last spring, the anchor and execs at the all-news cabler got into a behind-the-scenes spin battle over a report that Crier was being courted by CBS to co-anchor the Eye's new ayemcast.
FNC execs believed that Crier's reps had deliberately planted media reports saying she was on a "short list" of candidates for the ayem job. The leak took place just as FNC was launching a promo blitz for Crier's program and the rest of the net's lineup.
Shortly after the CBS rumors appeared, Fox "insiders" were quoted in a published report calling Crier's show "the weak link" in the net's primetime lineup and predicting that FNC wouldn't fight to keep Crier from going to CBS. Eye insiders say Crier was never seriously considered for the gig.
Despite the controversy, Crier's departure from FNC was said to be amicable.
"Catherine was instrumental in the successful launch of FNC and helped make it the success it is today," Ailes said. "We appreciate her contribution to the network but we understand her desire to leave news and return to her legal roots. We wish her the best."
Court TV president and CEO Henry Schleiff said Crier's arrival will help boost the law-and-order cabler's image.
"She will really help to bring Court TV to the next level," Schleiff said. "Catherine has a certain profile and a certain recognition factor."
Schleiff said the format for Crier's show has yet to be set, but it will probably air at 1 p.m. on weekdays. The Court TV chief added that Crier will also appear on the channel in some manner in early fringe and primetime.
(Josef Adalian contributed to this report.)
