MS NOW Overhauls Lineup with Program Cuts and Host Departures
MS NOW, the prominent news network known for its political programming, is set to implement significant changes to its broadcast schedule and on-air talent. These adjustments, announced by MS NOW president Rebecca Kutler, mark the network’s first major shake-up since its separation from NBC in November and are slated to take effect in June. The changes signal a strategic shift in how the network will deliver its news and analysis to viewers.
The flagship program, Morning Joe, hosted by Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski, will see its broadcast duration reduced. The show, which has been a cornerstone of the network’s morning offerings, will be cut from four hours to three, now airing from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. This adjustment reflects a recognition of the demanding nature of extended live broadcasts. Scarborough himself has previously commented on the intensity of the current schedule, telling People in November, “Getting up at 4:30 in the morning, and getting shot out of a cannon at 6 a.m. and tap dancing for four hours, there’s literally nobody on the planet that understands what that’s like, except for the person that I’m with all the time.” The shortened format aims to maintain the program’s impact while potentially allowing for more focused content.
Key Personnel Moves and New Roles
Beyond the changes to Morning Joe, the network is bidding farewell to a familiar face. Ana Cabrera, the host of Ana Cabrera Reports, will be departing MS NOW. Her show, which previously occupied the 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. daily slot, will no longer be part of the lineup. Cabrera shared her decision to leave in a video posted online, expressing her commitment to her journalistic mission.
“Throughout my career, I’ve always sought the best opportunities to do this work and have the greatest impact while staying true to myself and my mission as a journalist,” Cabrera stated. “That’s what I’ve always done and what I will continue to do now, understand I am truly grateful for my time at MS NOW for my wonderful colleagues, my amazing team that works so hard every day, and for you, the viewers who put your trust in me to serve you through this most meaningful work.”
In other significant talent shifts, Ali Velshi is set to take the helm of the late-night program, The 11th Hour, which airs at 11 p.m. He will be taking over from Stephanie Ruhle. Velshi and Ruhle have a history of collaboration, having previously co-hosted It’s Happening. Ruhle, meanwhile, is transitioning to a new two-hour morning slot, scheduled from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. This new program will concentrate on the intersection of money and politics, a focus highlighted by Kutler’s announcement.
Ruhle has spoken positively about the network’s newfound autonomy since its split from NBC, telling Mediaite, “I love our studios, I love working together, I love being with the team. And kind of the beauty is, it’s a 25-year-old company… We have the legacy, we have the brand of all that we’ve built, and now we have the nimbleness of not necessarily having to ask NBC’s permission.” This sentiment underscores a broader theme of increased editorial independence and operational agility within MS NOW.
Expanding the Team and Maintaining Resources
The restructuring also involves several other on-air personalities and programming adjustments:
- Alicia Menendez, a co-host of The Weeknight, will be moving to a new two-hour slot from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.
- Luke Russert is becoming a permanent member of the MS NOW team, indicating an expansion of their journalistic roster.
- Jon Lemire will shift his co-anchor responsibilities, moving from the 9 a.m. hour to the 8 a.m. slot.
Despite these significant changes to the broadcast schedule and personnel, MS NOW president Rebecca Kutler has reassured staff that the network is not scaling back its resources. In a memo to employees, Kutler emphasized that these programming shifts will create new opportunities for team members to transition into different roles that align with evolving priorities.
“As part of these programming changes, team members will have the opportunity to shift into new roles to support new priorities,” Kutler wrote. “In most cases, comparable opportunities will be available to employees as these changes take shape. Overall, we expect to have more people working at MS NOW by the end of 2026 than we do today. I am confident that these changes will make what is already a successful lineup even stronger in the future. We are fortunate to have so many exceptional journalists on our air, online, and behind the scenes.”
This forward-looking statement suggests that while the current programming is being refined, the network’s commitment to its journalistic output and its workforce remains strong. The aim is to create a more dynamic and impactful broadcast schedule that caters to the evolving needs of its audience.
