NBC’s "Megyn Kelly Today" is down 18 percent from the program featuring Tamron Hall and Al Roker that was offered in the same timeslot in 2017, according to Nielsen Media Research. The program averages 2.4 million viewers.

Kelly defended her performance by stating new shows take time to develop.

“Our show is a baby. We’re six months old,” she explained in a Wall Street Journal report on Wednesday. “Morning TV is obviously new to me and I’m figuring it out as we go. … I think any show needs about a year to just find its footing.”

Overall, Kelly is down 11.4 percent in total viewers since her debut in September.

The Wednesday Wall Street Journal report also noted that Kelly's low ratings are damaging the program followers hers at 10 a.m. featuring Hoda Kotb and Kathie Lee Gifford. That program has dropped in ratings by 6 percent from the same time last year.

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The Journal story also says that Kelly is earning $69 million over three years, or $23 million per year.

Fox News had reportedly offered Kelly $100 million to stay at the network over four years. The former attorney, who jumped into journalism 15 years ago with little experience before quickly becoming a star on Fox News, turned down the offer, citing a desire to be with her three children after school and at night. "The Kelly File" on Fox News aired live at 9 p.m., which prevented Kelly from doing that.

Kelly left Fox for NBC in January 2017. She also payed a key role in an internal investigation by the law firm Paul, Weiss looking into sexual harassment claims made against former Fox Chairman and CEO Roger Ailes.

Kelly claimed Ailes had also engaged in misconduct toward her in addition to former host Gretchen Carlson, who leveled a lawsuit at Ailes that led to the investigation and eventually his dismissal in July 2016.

NBC President Andy Lack, who pursuaded Kelly to come to NBC, defended his hire amid the reports of low ratings.

“Megyn has continued to prove that she’s a tremendously skilled, hard-hitting journalist, who adds valuable insight and analysis to all she touches,” Lack said in a statement.