It’s the latest major labor action to strike a national news organization in recent months as the media industry faces headwinds and cut-backs.
MSNBC announced Tuesday that Senior Vice President of Content Strategy Rebecca Kutler will now oversee all of MSNBC’s non-linear editorial efforts — streaming, digital and audio. She effectively replaces Catherine Kim, who is now focusing on editorial oversight across all of NBC News.
Meanwhile, Chris Jansing will get two hours on the cable news outlet’s weekdays while layoffs have hit the news division of the TV network.
NBC News and MSNBC were undergoing a round of layoffs on Thursday, although the impact appeared to be less severe than the staff reductions at other media entities. The layoffs were in the double digits, according to a source, out of a workforce of about 3,500. CNN reported that the number was around 75. The staff cuts also were scattered across the divisions, according to the source. No on-air talent was expected to be impacted. This follows the announcement earlier this week of layoffs across the parent company NBCUniversal, numbering in the dozens.
Exclusives
During an appearance on “On With Kara Swisher,” CNN’s chairman and CEO Chris Licht opened about who he sees as competition for the cable news channel, and it isn’t Fox News.
Ex-MSNBC host Tiffany Cross learned that she was getting pushed out days ahead of her exit — and threatened to “go out in a blaze” and “take down” the cable-TV network and its boss Rashida Jones, according to sources.
MSNBC has opting not to renew the contract of weekend host Tiffany Cross after almost two years. Cross, whose Saturday show The Cross Connection was a source of controversy for the network, has not commented publicly on the cancellation. Her production team was told of the decision on Friday. They will remain at the network, a source familiar with the matter said, as they also work on MSNBC’s Sunday show in the same slot.
CNN’s loss is MSNBC’s gain. Rebecca Kutler, a veteran CNN talent and development executive who had a hand in the success of anchors and contributors such as Abby Phillip and Van Jones, is joining MSNBC as its senior vice president of content strategy. She will run MSNBC’s streaming efforts and develop new program concepts for both the linear cable network and MSNBC’s presence on the NBCUniversal Peacock streaming hub.
NBCUniversal Chief Executive Officer Jeff Shell has asked his top deputies to find savings at its legacy cable and broadcast TV networks, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the plans haven’t been finalized.
Fox News, MSNBC, CNN hold top three positions on total day chart.
Fox News again topped the monthly ratings, as The Five topped in total viewers and Tucker Carlson Tonight won the 25-54 demo. The network saw a 4% rise in total day viewership, while it said that its late night show Gutfeld! saw its highest rated month since its April, 2021 launch, with 2.19 million viewers.
MSNBC President Rashida Jones said that Wagner’s experience covering politics would be crucial as the network prepares to cover the midterm elections.
Stop Hiring Flaks To Do The Work Of Journalists
MSNBC’s decision to bring Jen Psaki onto its network isn’t much better than CBS hiring Mick Mulvaney.
MSNBC’s key 9 p.m. ET primetime weeknight slot has been mired in a ratings slump since The Rachel Maddow Show shifted to a once-per-week format, according to Nielsen data. Among adults 25-54, a key segment for advertisers, MSNBC Prime, which airs the other four nights, is averaging just 114,000 viewers per night. That number is a 47% decline from Maddow’s average of 214,000 prior to the change.
As expected, she make appearances on the network’s cable and streaming programs as well as host a new original show set to debut in the first quarter of 2023.
Jen Psaki’s Puny Conflict Of Interest
Jen Psaki assures us that she has nailed down the ethics of her impending departure as White House press secretary and move to MSNBC. “I took steps and have taken steps, as I’ve had any discussions with any future employer, that go over and above any requirements by government, recusing myself of any discussions as well, and I’m proud of that,” Psaki said on Sunday. Now, Psaki is a phenomenal talent, but not even she can wish away the unmistakable conflict of interest at play here. How to ensure fair treatment of media outlets when one of them is a prospective employer?
Chuck Todd‘s Meet the Press Daily — an extension of NBC’s venerable news program Meet the Press — is relocating from MSNBC to streaming outlet NBC News NOW, where it will now be known as Meet the Press NOW. The newly branded hour will stream weekdays at 4 p.m. ET beginning Monday, June 6.
Discontent emerged over CBS’s hiring of former Trump administration official Mick Mulvaney as a commentator and discussions about current White House press secretary Jen Psaki working at MSNBC when her time in the Biden administration is through.
After working her customary five nights a week for the rest of April, Maddow said Monday evening, she will work on Monday nights only starting in May. The network said it will rotate guest hosts the other four weeknights on a show called MSNBC Prime.
No, Jen Psaki’s Move To MSNBC Won’t Taint NBC News
Jack Shafer: Biden’s press secretary is just another in a long line of political operatives who have turned broadcaster.
After more than two months off, Rachel Maddow is finally returning to helm her nightly MSNBC show. She’ll return to host The Rachel Maddow Show full time on Monday, April 11, individuals with knowledge of the matter say.
White House press secretary Jen Psaki is in exclusive talks with MSNBC to join the network after she leaves the White House around May, according to a source close to the matter. It’s been speculated for weeks that Psaki would leave the White House for a TV gig. White House communications staffers often negotiate TV jobs once they leave an administration.
