Long-time "Fox News Sunday" host Chris Wallace is leaving the network after nearly two decades to "try something new," he announced Sunday.

Why it matters: Known for his impartiality and tough interviews, Wallace was the bedrock of the network's hard news division, commanding respect from political leaders on both sides of the aisle, even at a time when cable news has become much more polarizing.

Driving the news: "I want to try something new, to go beyond politics to all the things I’m interested in," Wallace said. "I’m ready for a new adventure. And I hope you’ll check it out."

• His program will be helmed by rotating news anchors until a permanent host is named, according to an email from a Fox News spokesperson.

Details: In a statement on his final show Sunday, Wallace said “It is the last time — and I say this with real sadness — we will meet like this."

• "Eighteen years ago, the bosses here at Fox promised me they would never interfere with a guest I booked or a question I asked. And they kept that promise. I have been free to report to the best of my ability, to cover the stories I think are important, to hold our country’s leaders to account. It’s been a great ride."
• "We’ve covered five presidential elections, interviewed every president since George H.W. Bush, travelled the world — sitting down with France’s Emanuel Macron and Russia’s Vladimir Putin. And I’ve gotten to spend Sunday mornings with you," he added."

In a statement, Fox News Media said, “We are extremely proud of our journalism and the stellar team that Chris Wallace was a part of for 18 years. The legacy of FOX News Sunday will continue with our star journalists, many of whom will rotate in the position until a permanent host is named.”

Catch up quick: Wallace has long been considered one of the most authoritative TV news journalists in Washington. 

• Prior to joining Fox in 2003, Wallace worked at ABC News as a senior correspondent. Before that, he served as NBC's chief White House correspondent. 
• He began his broadcast career in local news in New York in 1975. 
• His father was "60 Minutes" journalist Mike Wallace.

The big picture: Wallace marks the latest in a string of cable news host departures and shakeups in the past few weeks and months.

• NBC News' Brian Williams signed off from his 11 p.m. program on MSNBC last week after 28 years with the network.
• CNN's Chris Cuomo was terminated from the network last Saturday following new revelations from a legal review made by the company into Cuomo's involvement in the management of his brother's sexual harassment scandal, leaving CNN's 9 p.m. primetime spot open.
• MSNBC's Rachel Maddow is expected to leave her daily program next year as she pursues different types of journalism endeavors with the network, which will leave MSNBC's 9 p.m. primetime spot open.