MSNBC Cancels Three Shows, Hands Out Four Pink Slips

The much-rumored changes to MSNBC’s lineup are about to take place. Here’s the rundown.

After months of low ratings and highly spread rumors, Comcast-owned MSNBC is making big changes to its afternoon lineup. The goal: breaking and hard-hitting news without opinion, Monday to Friday, 9-5.

The network is canceling “The Cycle,” “Now with Alex Wagner” and “The Ed Show,” effective Friday. 

“Cycle” co-hosts Abby Huntsman, Krystal Ball and Touré will leave the network, as will host Ed Schultz.

Ari Melber, a co-host on “The Cycle” who recently was promoted become to MSNBC’s chief legal correspondent, will stay with the network, as will Alex Wagner. Wagner will likely spend much time covering the 2016 elections.

MSNBC President Phil Griffin delivered the much-anticipated news in a memo this evening.

“In the coming weeks, as we complete our plans to create a new look and flow for our dayside programming, our 3pm to 6pm hours will begin the pivot towards live, breaking news coverage – with interim hosts from among our very talented ranks,” Griffin says in the memo. “And then, in September, we’ll unveil a 9am to 5pm schedule driven by dynamic coverage of breaking news events that are shaping the day.”

“Beginning in a few weeks,” Griffin adds, “Chuck Todd will bring his unmatched brand of political insight and analysis back to MSNBC with a daily one-hour program. That show will air weekdays at 5pm.”

Politico reports that the “cancellations, which have been expected for some time, come as NBC News chief Andrew Lack moves to refashion the liberal cable channel as a straight-forward news and politics offering, at least in daytime.”

“MSNBC’s primetime programming — which includes shows hosted by Rachel Maddow, Chris Hayes and Lawrence O’Donnell — is expected to remain liberal and outspoken,” Politico states, ignoring the increased number of conservative and Republican pundits that have appeared on the network in recent months.

Brian Williams will also return to the air, on MSNBC, as a breaking news and special reports anchor.

 

Image by Anthony Quintano via Flickr and a CC license
Hat tip: Variety