MSNBC is poised for a sweeping transformation of its programming lineup, with changes spanning primetime, dayside, and weekends, according to multiple sources cited by the New York Times. The left-leaning cable news channel, under the fresh leadership of newly appointed president Rebecca Kutler, is set to roll out a bold slate that includes cancellations, promotions, and new faces—a move signaling her intent to reshape the network as it braces for a future independent of NBC News.
Among the most notable shifts is the cancellation of Joy Reid’s 7 p.m. ET show, The ReidOut. Sources indicate it will likely give way to a panel program featuring Symone Sanders, Michael Steele, and Alicia Menendez, the trio currently anchoring The Weekend morning show. The move elevates the weekend hosts to a coveted primetime slot, suggesting a push toward ensemble-driven discussion formats. Meanwhile, in primetime, Jen Psaki, the former White House press secretary, is slated to expand her presence beyond her current Monday 8 p.m. slot, Inside with Jen Psaki. With Rachel Maddow expected to scale back to her one-day-a-week schedule at 9 p.m. starting in April, that hour could become Psaki’s new home. Alex Wagner, who has filled the 9 p.m. slot on Maddow’s off nights, is likely to transition into a correspondent role rather than exiting the network.
The shakeup doesn’t stop there. The New York Times reports that Eugene Daniels of Politico and NYU’s Melissa Murray are in line for new shows or contributor gigs, adding fresh voices to the mix. Kutler, who took the helm earlier this month, is also staffing up, recruiting for key roles like head of talent, head of newsgathering, Washington bureau chief, and head of content strategy. These hires are critical as MSNBC prepares for Comcast’s upcoming spinoff of its cable channels, a restructuring that will see MSNBC operate independently with its own news infrastructure.
Kutler framed the overhaul as a rare opportunity during a recent staff meeting, saying, “We have a new company, we have new leadership, we will have new offices, and we have a non-stop news cycle.” She emphasized the chance to “build a new news organization” tailored to MSNBC’s needs, a process she called both challenging and exhilarating. The changes come as the network seeks to define itself amid a shifting media landscape and ahead of its separation from NBC News, which has historically provided shared resources.
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