In a stunning development at FOX News, popular host Sean Hannity has been overlooked for the coveted primetime slot previously held by Tucker Carlson, leading to speculation that Hannity's tenure at the network may be drawing to a close.

A source close to the situation revealed, "This is a major blow for Sean. It's almost like the network has lost faith in his ability to draw in viewers and serve as the anchor of the primetime schedule. The news has taken him and many others by surprise."

Hannity, it seems, was gearing up for a triumphant move to the 8 p.m. time slot, but the plans have been unexpectedly upturned.

The beneficiary of FOX's rearrangement is Jesse Watters, whose show 'Jesse Watters Primetime' has consistently outperformed rivals since its 2022 debut in the 7 p.m. slot. Now, Watters, aged 45, will take over the critical 8 p.m. vacancy created by Carlson's abrupt departure earlier this May.

Carlson's dismissal came in the wake of a $787.5 million settlement FOX made to resolve a defamation lawsuit filed by Dominion Voting Systems. They claimed that the network and its hosts falsely asserted that the 2020 presidential election was rigged.

Following Carlson's exit, a series of hosts have filled his primetime slot, and the network's viewership took a nearly 40% hit during prime time. However, recent ratings show that FOX has rebounded and has reclaimed the number one spot in cable.

The reshuffling will see Laura Ingraham take over Watters' old slot, while Greg Gutfeld will shift from 11 p.m. to 10 p.m. The changes paint a grim picture for Hannity, 61, who is now the lone remnant of the original primetime lineup.

The situation appears precarious for Hannity. A network insider quipped, "For Sean, this situation must feel very unsettling. Surrounded by a new cohort of hosts and weighed down by baggage related to the Dominion Voting Systems lawsuit, his future at the network appears uncertain."

Sources note that Hannity, much like Carlson, repeated and amplified former President Donald Trump's debunked claims about the 2020 election being stolen, despite stating under oath that he didn't believe these assertions for a moment.

While a FOX News spokesperson denies that Hannity's position is under threat, an insider source offers a different view, "Sean's reputation has taken a hit and the network recognizes this. His standing as a conservative authority has been irreparably tarnished.

"This is likely why Jesse was given the nod over him for the primetime slot!"