Why Did Kaylee Hartung Leave ABC? Unpacking Her Big Career Move
Have you ever wondered about the big changes that happen behind the scenes with your favorite news personalities? It’s a common thing to think about, especially when someone you’re used to seeing regularly seems to move on to something new. For many who follow sports and news, Kaylee Hartung’s career path has been a topic of interest, and there’s a good reason why people ask about her journey.
Kaylee Hartung, a name that really connects with folks who appreciate good sports journalism, has built a solid presence across several major networks. Her work has taken her to a lot of different places, covering big stories and events. So, when she made a shift from one well-known spot to another, people naturally wanted to know more about what happened and why she made that choice, you know?
This article will look into the details of Kaylee Hartung’s professional life, particularly her time at ABC and what led her to her next big step. We’ll cover the facts about her departure and what she’s doing now, giving you a clearer picture of her remarkable path in broadcasting. It’s pretty interesting, actually, how these things play out.
Table of Contents
- Kaylee Hartung: A Glimpse at Her Life and Work
- Her Early Life and the Start of a Journalism Dream
- Kaylee Hartung's Career Before ABC
- Her Time at ABC News
- The Big Move: Why Kaylee Hartung Left ABC
- Life at Amazon Prime Video
- Kaylee Hartung's Personal Challenges and Perseverance
- Frequently Asked Questions About Kaylee Hartung
Kaylee Hartung: A Glimpse at Her Life and Work
Kaylee Hartung is a well-known American broadcast journalist. She has a reputation for being versatile and very dedicated to her work. Her career has seen her report from many different places, covering a wide range of topics, from sports to breaking news stories. She’s really made a significant mark, you know, in the field.
Personal Details and Bio Data
Full Name | Kaylee Hartung |
Born In | Baton Rouge, Louisiana |
Father's Name | Joe Hartung |
Career | Broadcast Journalist, Sports Reporter, News Correspondent |
Previous Networks | CBS News, ESPN, CNN, ABC News, NBC News |
Current Role | Sideline Reporter for Amazon Prime Video, National Correspondent for The Today Show on NBC News |
Marital Status | Not married |
Her Early Life and the Start of a Journalism Dream
Kaylee Hartung’s journey into journalism began with a truly impactful personal experience. She was born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and her father, Joe, had a fascinating background. He served as a pilot in the Royal Netherlands Air Force before coming to the United States and starting an aviation company. So, you know, a pretty interesting family history right there.
Sadly, a tragic event shaped Kaylee’s early life and, in a way, pointed her toward her calling. Her father died in a plane crash in May 1996 while performing at an air show. Kaylee, along with her mother and brother, actually saw the crash happen. This incredibly difficult moment, and how it was covered in the news, really inspired her. She’s mentioned that the way the news handled the crash made her want to pursue a career in journalism. She wanted to tell other people's stories in a better way, which is quite a powerful motivation, to be honest.
This early experience seems to have instilled in her a deep commitment to reporting. It really shows how personal events can shape professional paths, and for Kaylee, it absolutely was a turning point. She decided to go to Washington and Lee, which is where she got her start in journalism, actually.
Kaylee Hartung's Career Before ABC
Before her time at ABC, Kaylee Hartung had already built a pretty strong resume in the media world. She started out making a name for herself as a sports reporter, known for her sharp observations. Her work in sports journalism, especially during her time with the SEC, helped her gain a lot of recognition. She was, you know, quite good at it.
After her time covering the SEC, Kaylee made a move to CNN in 2017. There, she expanded her reporting to cover a wider range of news topics. She was sent to some really big breaking news events, which showed her versatility. For instance, she reported from the riots in Charlottesville, Virginia, and also covered the mass shooting in Parkland, Florida. She also went to multiple hurricanes throughout the southeast, so she was really in the thick of things.
As part of CNN’s election coverage in 2018, she followed Georgia’s political happenings, too. This period at CNN really showcased her ability to handle serious, fast-moving news stories. She proved she could do more than just sports, which is a big deal for a journalist, in a way.
Her Time at ABC News
In 2019, Kaylee Hartung decided to leave CNN and joined ABC News. She took on a role as a correspondent there, continuing her work in general news reporting. Her time at ABC News lasted from 2019 until July 2022, which is when she made her next big career shift. She was based in Los Angeles during this period, so that was her home base, you know, for a while.
During her tenure at ABC, she continued to cover a variety of stories. She was a correspondent for ABC News, which means she was involved in reporting for their various news programs. For example, she was interviewed from her home on “Good Morning America” on March 18, 2020, by her colleague Robyn Roberts. In that interview, she shared with viewers that she had been diagnosed with coronavirus. This was a pretty significant moment, as it showed her openness about personal health matters while still doing her job.
Her work at ABC was part of a successful career trajectory, but as with any public figure, there were also some unexpected challenges. Some fans, for instance, in 2020, believed her left eye looked unusual. Some even thought she might have a prosthetic eye, but it was quickly found that she had been diagnosed with coronavirus, which was a different matter entirely. This period, it seems, brought both professional success and some personal health hurdles, which she overcame, you know, with grace.
The Big Move: Why Kaylee Hartung Left ABC
The question of "Why did Kaylee Hartung leave ABC?" is pretty straightforward, actually. The answer is a clear yes, she did leave. On July 21, 2022, it was officially announced that Kaylee Hartung would be leaving her position at ABC. This news certainly caught the attention of many who followed her work. It was a significant change, given her established presence at the network, you know, for those years.
The reason for her departure was a new and exciting opportunity that came her way. She was joining Amazon Prime Video instead. This move marked a return to her roots in sports broadcasting, which is where she first gained a lot of her recognition. Amazon, as one of the streaming giants, was adding experienced sports and news talent to their team, and Kaylee fit that description perfectly. It was, in some respects, a very natural fit for her skills.
This transition was a big deal for Kaylee. After spending five years in the news world, covering hard news stories at CNN and ABC, she decided to come back to football. She explained why she made this choice, and what her first year in the NFL has been like, in various discussions. It appears to have been a very deliberate decision, motivated by the chance to return to a passion, and that’s a pretty compelling reason, you know, for a career change.
The streaming world offers new possibilities for sports coverage, and Amazon was building a major presence with its NFL package. For Kaylee, this meant taking on the role of a sideline reporter for Amazon Prime Video’s new “Thursday Night Football” NFL package. This was a chance to be part of something new and growing, and it offered a different kind of challenge compared to daily news reporting. It’s almost like a fresh chapter, that.
Her career has been marked by versatility, moving between hard news and sports, but this move back to sports was a big one. It showed her willingness to embrace new platforms and new ways of delivering content to viewers. It’s a reflection of how the media landscape is changing, too, with streaming services becoming major players in live sports. So, her decision was, in a way, very much aligned with where things are going in broadcasting.
This shift from ABC to Amazon Prime Video wasn't just a simple job change; it represented a strategic move in her career. It allowed her to leverage her extensive experience in sports reporting while also embracing the innovative environment of a major streaming platform. She had, basically, made a significant mark in news, and now she was bringing that expertise to a different kind of stage. It's really quite something, that kind of adaptability.
The opportunity with Amazon Prime Video was, arguably, a chance to be at the forefront of a new era in sports broadcasting. With Amazon investing heavily in live sports, Kaylee’s role as a sideline reporter put her right in the middle of the action for a major new venture. It seems like a very exciting place to be for someone with her background, honestly.
Life at Amazon Prime Video
Since joining Amazon Prime Video in July 2022, Kaylee Hartung has been a key part of their NFL coverage. She works as a sideline reporter for the “Thursday Night Football” package, which is a big deal for the streaming giant. This role puts her right on the field, bringing viewers closer to the game and the players. It’s a different kind of reporting than what she was doing at ABC, but it’s one where she clearly excels, you know, given her past.
Her experience from ESPN, CNN, and ABC News prepared her well for this role. She knows how to gather information quickly and present it clearly, even in the fast-paced environment of a live football game. This return to sports broadcasting has been met with a lot of positive feedback from fans who remember her from her earlier sports reporting days. It’s almost like coming home for her, in a way, to the sports world.
Kaylee has spoken about what her first year in the NFL has been like since joining Amazon. It seems she’s really enjoying being back in the football world. This move shows that even after crushing it at CBS News, ESPN, CNN, ABC, and NBC News, there are always new challenges and opportunities to pursue. It’s a testament to her drive and passion for what she does, that.
Beyond her work with Amazon, Kaylee Hartung also serves as a national correspondent for The Today Show on NBC News. This means she still has a foot in the news world, even while focusing heavily on sports with Amazon. She’s not quite ready to accept the fact that Hoda Kotb is actually leaving The Today Show, which is a little insight into her connection with her colleagues there. It shows she has a broad range of interests and skills, which is pretty cool.
Her career as a journalist has taken her all around the U.S., and she’s apparently also had an opportunity to travel to Canada and other places. She’s passionate about traveling, which aligns well with the demands of her job. This blend of sports and news, along with her personal interests, really paints a picture of a dynamic professional. It's clear she enjoys what she does, you know, very much.
Kaylee Hartung's Personal Challenges and Perseverance
Kaylee Hartung’s professional success comes alongside a story of overcoming serious adversity, starting from a very young age. As she described during a podcast appearance earlier this year, witnessing her father’s plane crash was a formative experience. This early life event, tragic as it was, really pushed her toward a career where she could help tell stories, which is a powerful thing, to be honest.
In 2020, Kaylee faced a personal health challenge when she was diagnosed with coronavirus. She shared this information openly during an interview on “Good Morning America” from her home. This period also led to some public speculation about her left eye, with some fans believing it looked unusual or even suspecting she had a prosthetic eye. However, it was quickly found that these concerns were related to her coronavirus diagnosis, not a separate eye injury or a prosthetic. It just goes to show how public figures can face scrutiny, even when dealing with personal health, you know.
Despite these challenges, Kaylee has shown remarkable strength and dedication. She has continued to build a strong reputation in her field, moving from one major network to another. Her ability to bounce back and keep pursuing her goals is really quite inspiring. It highlights her resilience, and that’s a pretty important quality for anyone in a demanding career, in a way.
On a more personal note, at the age of 35, Kaylee decided to undergo the process of mature oocyte cryopreservation, or egg freezing. She did so during the midst of her successful career. This decision offers a glimpse into her personal life and choices, showing how she balances her demanding professional life with personal planning for the future. It’s a very personal choice, that, and it speaks to her forward-thinking approach.
While her career is very public, her personal life, especially questions about a husband, remains a topic shrouded in mystery. Kaylee Hartung is not married, and she has kept her private life, well, private. This is fairly common for public figures, who often choose to keep certain aspects of their lives out of the spotlight. It’s just how some people prefer to live, you know.
Her journey, from witnessing a tragedy that inspired her career choice, to facing health issues and making significant career moves, shows a person who handles life’s ups and downs with a lot of determination. She has, you know, really made her mark through all of it.
Frequently Asked Questions About Kaylee Hartung
Did Kaylee Hartung leave ABC?
Yes, Kaylee Hartung did leave ABC. On July 21, 2022, it was announced that she would be moving from her position at ABC News to join Amazon Prime Video. This marked a significant change in her career path, taking her back to sports broadcasting, which is where she started her career, you know.
Where did Kaylee Hartung go after ABC?
After leaving ABC, Kaylee Hartung joined Amazon Prime Video. She took on the role of a sideline reporter for their new “Thursday Night Football” NFL package. This move allowed her to return to covering football, a field where she had previously built a strong reputation. It was a big step, in a way, into the streaming world.
What is Kaylee Hartung doing now?
Currently, Kaylee Hartung works as a sideline reporter for Amazon Prime Video’s “Thursday Night Football” NFL coverage. She also serves as a national correspondent for The Today Show on NBC News, keeping her connected to general news reporting. So, she’s doing both, which is pretty cool, actually.
Learn more about Kaylee Hartung's early career on our site, and link to this page for more details on her transition to sports journalism.

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