Jon Swartz

USA TODAY

Megyn Kelly is signing off on Fox News to join rival NBC News.

The popular cable network personality on Tuesday said she is joining the peacock network, where she will anchor a new, one-hour daytime program, Andrew Lack, chairman of the NBCUniversal News Group, said in a statement today.

Kelly was arguably the most prominent TV journalist during the contentious 2016 presidential election, engaging in a public spat with President-elect Donald Trump and disavowing former Fox News chief Roger Ailes over his personal behavior. She also hosted one of the top-rated shows on Fox News Channel. All of that made her a coveted free agent among TV networks as she neared the end of her contract with Fox.

As part of a broad, multi-year deal, Kelly will also anchor a new Sunday evening news magazine show and contribute to NBC’s breaking news, political and special events coverage. Kelly, who was reportedly paid $15 million a year by Fox in the last year of her deal set to expire in July, was seeking $20 million for her next contract, according to the Wall Street Journal.

Exclusive: Fox anchor Megyn Kelly describes scary, bullying 'Year of Trump'

“Megyn is an exceptional journalist and news anchor, who has had an extraordinary career,” Lack said. “She’s demonstrated tremendous skill and poise, and we’re lucky to have her.”

NBC said details on Kelly's duties will be announced in the coming months.

"While I will greatly miss my colleagues at Fox, I am delighted to be joining the NBC News family and taking on a new challenge," Kelly said in a Facebook post. Kelly, who reportedly held talks with ABC and CNN among others, is expected to host her last show on Fox on Friday.

Kelly had no further comment, a spokeswoman for her said.

The departure of Kelly, whose ratings were second only to those of her colleague Bill O'Reilly, is a major blow to Fox, which has retained most of its top talent.

"We thank Megyn Kelly for her 12 years of contributions to Fox News. We hope she enjoys tremendous success in her career and wish her and her family all the best," Rupert Murdoch, executive chairman of 21st Century Fox, said in a statement.

"At a time when network news is in need of a jolt and credibility after the 2016 election, she is a tough, sharp interviewer," says Rich Hanley, associate professor of journalism at Quinnipiac University, who compared Kelly's signing to Katie Couric's jump from NBC's Today Show to anchor the CBS Evening News in 2006.

Kelly, who anchored The Kelly File since 2013, sparred with Trump during the first GOP debate, when she confronted him about his insulting remarks about women.

Trump countered with slashing remarks in which he insinuated Kelly was antagonistic to him in the debate because she was menstruating. The two eventually met in Trump’s office to hash out their differences.

She also clashed with Ailes, who left the top-rated news organization he helped shape over accusations of sexual harassment. She said Ailes harassed her starting in 2005, according to her book, Settle for More.

Follow USA TODAY San Francisco Bureau Chief Jon Swartz @jswartz on Twitter.