MS NOW Implements Major Programming Overhaul Ahead of Midterm Elections
In a significant shakeup of its daily lineup, the cable network MS NOW has announced sweeping changes to its programming schedule, dealing a notable blow to the long-running show Morning Joe while elevating several hosts with prominent industry connections to more prominent timeslots. The network's president, Rebecca Kutler, revealed the new schedule during the company's daily editorial call on Wednesday, confirming that the changes will take effect by June, just ahead of the critical midterm elections.
Morning Joe Faces Reduction in Air Time
One of the most consequential adjustments involves Morning Joe, the popular morning program hosted by husband-and-wife duo Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski. Previously airing from 6am to 10am, the show's timeslot has been curtailed, now scheduled to run from 6am to 9am, effectively reducing its four-hour runtime to three hours. This move marks a substantial shift for a program that has long been a cornerstone of the network's morning coverage, discussing overnight developments and political news.
New Shows for Alicia Menendez and Luke Russert
Among the beneficiaries of the reshuffling is Alicia Menendez, daughter of former New Jersey Senator Bob Menendez, who has been embroiled in controversy. Menendez, who previously co-hosted The Weeknight at 7pm, has been awarded her own dedicated show, which will air from 12pm to 2pm. This promotion underscores the network's confidence in her journalistic capabilities and her ability to anchor a key daytime slot.
Stepping into Menendez's former role on The Weeknight is Luke Russert, son of the late NBC Meet the Press anchor Tim Russert and Vanity Fair writer Maureen Orth. Russert, who joined NBC shortly after his father's passing in 2008 to cover that year's political conventions, will now serve as the full-time host of the 7pm program, bringing his extensive political reporting experience to the evening lineup.
Additional Scheduling Adjustments and Personnel Changes
The programming overhaul extends beyond these key appointments. Veteran reporter and host Ali Velshi has been tapped to present The 11th Hour, the network's final show of the day, a move that signals his continued prominence within MS NOW. Jacob Soboroff will assume hosting duties for Velshi's former weekend program, ensuring continuity in weekend coverage.
Further changes include Stephanie Ruhle transitioning to a new two-hour timeslot beginning at 9am, while Chris Jansing, currently anchoring the 12pm to 2pm slot, will shift to the role of chief political reporter for the channel. Notably, the only departure resulting from these adjustments is Ana Cabrera, who has been with the network since 2023 and currently hosts the 10am to 12pm segment. Cabrera expressed gratitude in a social media message, hinting at future endeavors.
Several hosts will retain their existing slots, including Katy Tur, wife of CBS Evening News anchor Tony Dokoupil, who continues from 2pm to 4pm, and Nicolle Wallace, maintaining her 4pm to 6pm program. A gap remains in the daytime schedule from 11am to 12pm, with MS NOW indicating that a new anchor for this slot will be announced in the near future.
Strategic Focus and Staff Assurance
In a memo to staff obtained by Variety, President Rebecca Kutler emphasized that these changes are designed to strengthen an already successful lineup, stating, "I am confident that these changes will make what is already a successful lineup even stronger in the future." She also assured employees that there would be no layoffs or staff reductions as a result of the reshuffle. Instead, team members will have opportunities to transition into new roles aligned with evolving priorities, with Kutler projecting an increase in overall staff numbers by the end of 2026.
MS NOW has clarified that its daytime programming will continue to prioritize hard news over opinion, though the network will abandon the "Reports" branding used for its daytime shows. A new moniker has yet to be disclosed. Primetime programming remains largely unaffected, with Chris Hayes resuming his Monday 8pm hosting duties after scaling back in 2023, while The Rachel Maddow Show retains its 9pm Monday slot, Jen Psaki's program continues Tuesday through Friday at 9pm, and Lawrence O'Donnell remains at 10pm.
This comprehensive restructuring by MS NOW, owned by Versant and formerly part of MSNBC under Comcast, reflects a strategic realignment aimed at optimizing its schedule for the upcoming electoral season and beyond, leveraging both established talent and rising stars within the media landscape.
