MSNBC is Talking to Shep
It looks like MSNBC might be looking to make some show changes and might also look at bringing in a former Fox Newser.
The Daily Beast writes that MSNBC talent and staffers are bracing for a major 2020 shakeup amid discussion of moving ratings-challenged Chuck Todd to a morning slot and execs talking with Fox News escapee Shepard Smith.
The goal of any reshuffle would be to shed ratings dead weight in the lead-up to the election. Sources at the network cautioned that a new look for the lineup is still up in the air, but brass has been batting around several options.
As for Smith, word is that he is being courted by a number of outlets.
“It’s unclear what slot he would take, but we’d want him in primetime,” an MSNBC insider told The Daily Beast. “We are well aware [Jeff] Zucker [president of CNN] is also pursuing him, as are a number of the networks.”
As for Todd, his show is a ratings dud and it is sandwiched between the robust ratings of Nicolle Wallace’s 4 p.m. show and Ari Melber’s 6 p.m. show.
So, MSNBC is looking to move his show to 9 AM, where it can do less damage to the numbers.
Stay tuned…