CNN’s Beck shifting to Fox

Conservative commentator Glenn Beck is leaving CNN Headline News for Fox News Channel, where he will host a weekday show at 5 p.m. starting next spring.

His daily radio show is heard by nearly 7 million people, ranking him fifth in popularity behind Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Michael Savage and Laura Schlessinger, according to Talkers magazine.

Beck sensed growth opportunities at Fox, which appeals to a more conservative audience and has many more viewers than CNN Headline News. Although he won’t be in prime time, he gives Fox some bench strength in case there are any changes to its strong prime-time lineup.