MSNBC's New President Charts Progressive Course with Anchor Expansions
As MSNBC prepares for its separation from NBCUniversal and parent company Comcast, newly appointed president Rebecca Kutler is swiftly shaping the network's progressive direction.
Sources familiar with internal discussions reveal plans to enhance the screen time of Jen Psaki, who currently hosts Sunday afternoons and Monday evenings, and the trio hosting "The Weekend" (Symone Sanders-Townsend, Alicia Menendez, and Michael Steele).
Kutler's moves aim to navigate a complex landscape for MSNBC. Separating from the extensive newsgathering resources of NBC News, the network must establish an independent path. Traditionally, anchors like Katy Tur and Chris Jansing have anchored MSNBC's weekday hours, providing less opinionated reporting. However, with veteran Andrea Mitchell's recent departure, Kutler faces the challenge of filling those daytime slots.
To address this, Kutler is seeking new Washington correspondents and a bureau chief. Discussions have focused on journalists from outlets like The Washington Post and Politico, as well as potential hires from other networks or promotions within MSNBC.
Like other cable networks, MSNBC faces significant challenges. Viewer migration is reducing viewership, with projected subscriber losses of approximately 10.5% by 2025. Rivals Fox News Channel and CNN are also experiencing declines.
MSNBC's efforts to regain viewers post-2024 presidential election have included Rachel Maddow's expanded hosting schedule. Kutler's recent moves indicate a commitment to progressive programming, maintaining the network's stance and diversifying its weekday lineup.
However, these expansions may come at the expense of other shows, as Kutler weighs her options in shaping MSNBC's future.