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Hearst replaces Espuelas with O’Brien in political show reboot

August 18, 2016 by Veronica Villafañe

Weekly political newsmagazine “Matter of Fact” is getting a new host starting September 10.

Emmy-award winning journalist Soledad O’Brien takes over as anchor and producer of the syndicated show, which Hearst Television launched in November of last year with Fernando Espuelas at the helm.

A Hearst publicist would not address the reason behind the change and Espuelas was unavailable for comment.

Fernando Espuelas - Soledad O'Brien
Hearst replaced Fernando Espuelas with former CNN anchor Soledad O’Brien.

On the website, as well as on Facebook and Twitter accounts, the show still appears as “Matter of Fact with Fernando Espuelas” and lists him as the host.

Video clips of his most recent show, dated August 13, appear on the home page, along with a banner announcing O’Brien’s arrival for season 2.

In a press release, Hearst states the syndicated show had “a successful first season,” and “received firm commitments for a second season on the Hearst television stations as well as stations owned by CBS, Meredith, Nexstar, E.W. Scripps, Tegna and Tribune.”

It also recently picked up Fox stations in Los Angeles and Charlotte, extending the show’s reach to 75% of the country.

“Matter of Fact” reached that milestone and secured commitments prior to bringing O’Brien on board.

Hearst also announced it has struck a partnership deal with O’Brien’s production studio, Starfish Media Group, to co-producing national specials.

Executive Producer Rita Hagen Aleman and Senior Producer Sheila Jaskot will remain with the show, which is produced at the Newseum in Washington, D.C.

Matter of Fact home page
The “Matter of Fact” homepage shows Fernando Espuelas’ name attached to the show, as well as season 1 clips and a banner announcing O’Brien.

 

Filed Under: People, TV & Radio Tagged With: Fernando Espuelas, Soledad O'Brien

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Laura Oxley says

    August 28, 2016 at 9:06 AM

    I am really sorry to hear that Fernando Espuelas is being replaced. I enjoyed his thoughtful, clear voice of integrity. I will miss his elegant presence. Disappointing!

  2. Frank says

    September 13, 2016 at 11:10 PM

    Nothing against Ms. O’Brien but Mr. Espuelas was a civil and intellectually honest interviewer. Doubt I will watch the rebooted version

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Veronica Villafañe, Editor & Publisher

Emmy award-winning journalist and former president of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ). Currently a reporter for Voice of America, she has worked as an on-air reporter, anchor, writer and producer for Spanish and English-language TV, print and online media, including Univision, Telemundo, Fox 11 News in L.A. and the San Jose Mercury News.

Hispanic media and entertainment contributor to Forbes.

Full bio here
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Veronica Villafañe, Editor & Publisher

Emmy award-winning journalist and former president of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ). Currently a reporter for Voice of America, she has worked as an on-air reporter, anchor, writer and producer for Spanish and English-language TV, print and online media, including Univision, Telemundo, Fox 11 News in L.A. and the San Jose Mercury News.

Hispanic media and entertainment contributor to Forbes.

Full bio here
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