Will the third network be the charm for Tucker?

After appearances on "Red Eye," Tucker Carlson made it official this morning becoming a paid contributor to Fox News Channel. His first appearance, coming on his 40th birthday, was on Fox & Friends just after 7amET.

"Life begins at 40 and your Fox career begins at 40 too," said co-anchor Dave Briggs.

"I've waited a long time to get here and I'm glad to be here," said Carlson. "We're delighted to have you," added Alisyn Camerota.

Carlson, a libertarian, spent five years at CNN where he co-hosted "from the right" the long-running "Crossfire" until its cancellation. He joined MSNBC in 2005 spending three years there anchoring a one-hour show until last March. He stayed on through the election as a political contributor. About MSNBC, Carlson tells TVDecoder's Brian Stelter, "It's just a different network than it was when I joined, very different."

Briggs was first to report the Carlson news on Fox & Friends Friday as the anchors promoted today's show: "Karl Rove is here, Mike Huckabee is here, and Tucker Carlson who is coming to play for our team here at Fox News, congratulations to Tucker."