MSNBC is making significant changes as it prepares to separate from Comcast. The network’s new president, Rebecca Kutler, announced the appointment of Scott Matthews, previously the news director at WABC-TV in New York, to lead a new journalism operation. This move comes as MSNBC aims to hire over 100 journalists to strengthen its news coverage.
The shift in strategy is partly due to the network’s upcoming independence from NBC News, which has been its primary source for news gathering. As the separation approaches, there are concerns that MSNBC might focus more on progressive commentary without a solid journalistic foundation. However, executives are signaling a desire to change that perception. They believe that relying solely on opinion content could backfire, especially with a rise in conservative viewership.
In her announcement, Kutler emphasized Matthews’ role in enhancing MSNBC’s news-gathering capabilities. She stated that the goal is to expand the network’s presence in both domestic and international news.
The recent firings of prominent hosts Joy Reid and Alex Wagner highlight this new direction. Reid’s show often attracted controversy, particularly for her views on race and Israel. Wagner, who hosted a show in the 9 p.m. slot, was seen as embodying the progressive stance that some viewers have grown tired of. Their departures suggest that MSNBC is trying to shed its image as an extreme network.
Additionally, the network has let go of other hosts like Katie Phang and José Díaz-Balart, who were perceived as underperforming. The firings have sparked criticism, with some commentators accusing the network of racial bias in its decisions.
Despite these changes, Rachel Maddow remains a central figure at MSNBC, continuing her show with a substantial salary. While the network is not abandoning its left-leaning identity, it is making efforts to distance itself from extreme views and enhance its journalistic credibility. This includes hiring notable journalists like Eugene Daniels from Politico and Washington Post columnists Catherine Rampell and Jonathan Capehart.
As MSNBC embarks on this new chapter, it aims to balance its progressive roots with a stronger commitment to journalism, hoping to regain trust and viewership in an increasingly polarized media landscape.