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Thursday, January 16, 2020

MSNBC Is Looking For Shepard Smith!

MSNBC wants Shep.
The shocking announcement from Shepard Smith in October still rings in media circles. He joined Fox News in 1997 and was one of the network's most trusted journalists. He announced he was quitting the network because of the tension between him and the primetime agitators.

Smith was feuding with the white nationalist Tucker Carlson, dingbat Laura Ingraham and that annoying shithead Sean "Softball" Hannity. The three agitators are staunchly Trump loyalists who continue to defend him regardless of how deep the shit is.

Smith was considered the rational voice on Fox News.

He hosted the 3pm spot and often was called their "Breaking News" chief.

Now that he's left Fox News, the competitors are interested in getting him.

CNN and MSNBC are looking for a voice. Mind you that Smith is no fan of Trump so it's likely gotten the attention of MSNBC's president Phil Griffin.

Given how they've failed with Megyn Kelly and Greta Van Susteren, NBC News president Andy Lack and Griffin are going to be careful about the decision.

Rank-and-file MSNBC employees believe that Lack is damaging the brand. Lack wants to put more "balance" at the expense of its progressive viewers.

MTP Daily (Meet The Press) is the stable of 5pm. Chuck Todd's daily program hasn't done so well at the 5pm spot. Given that Ari Melber and Nicolle Wallace's shows gave MSNBC a jolt in ratings, they felt that Todd's spot is a drag on the programming. So they're considering moving Todd to the mornings after Morning Joe and place Smith in the spot.
Chuck Todd's 5pm spot could be cut if they hire Shepard Smith.
Preparing for the 2020 U.S. Presidential Election,  MSNBC is trying to keep a rabid base of progressives active and are trying to recruit strong voices to the cable network.

If Smith decides to join MSNBC, that would make moves for Stephanie Ruhle, the CNBC business analysis who hosts the 9am and 1pm spot. With Ali Velshi getting a weekend afternoon program, there will be shifts. David Gura is being shifted from Up to a weekend afternoon program.

Todd isn't happy about the move. He fears that the move could damage his brand.

Meet The Press is the No. 1 Sunday morning news program.

Todd fears that MTP: Daily could be cancelled if the weekday show is moved.

Smith hasn't confirmed on where he's going but it's confirmed that CNN's Jeff Zucker is very interested in picking him up.

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