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MS NOW Announces Major Lineup Changes and New Hosts

3/18/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Rebecca Kutler, MS NOW president, announced in June the network's first major lineup change since separating from NBC.
Morning Joe will revert to a 6–9 a.m. format.
Ali Velshi, MS NOW's The 11th Hour host, will take over The 11th Hour.
Stephanie Ruhle, MS NOW anchor, will host a morning show from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Alicia Menendez, MS NOW anchor, will lead the noon-2 p.m. slot.

History

Historical Context

In 2015, NBC Universal officially separated MSNBC from NBC, allowing the network to emphasize its progressive identity. This shift followed years of criticism regarding its left-leaning bias, particularly during the 2008 presidential election. By 2021, MSNBC attracted around 1.5 million viewers, reflecting its ongoing adaptation to viewer preferences amid a competitive media landscape.

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Story summary

Rebecca Kutler, MS NOW president, announced in June the network's first major lineup change since separating from NBC.
Morning Joe will revert to a 6–9 a.m. format.
Ali Velshi, MS NOW's The 11th Hour host, will take over The 11th Hour.
Stephanie Ruhle, MS NOW anchor, will host a morning show from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Alicia Menendez, MS NOW anchor, will lead the noon-2 p.m. slot.

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