MSNBC's top lieutenant, Rashida Jones, decides to bid adieu as the network readies for its spinoff.
MSNBC, the progressive news network, is undergoing a major change as its corporate parent, Comcast, prepares to spin off the channel and others into a separate publicly traded company. This move has prompted the departure of its president, Rashida Jones.
Mark Lazarus, set to become the spin-off's CEO, praised Jones' tenure in a memo, crediting her for leading MSNBC through a turbulent news cycle, boosting viewership, and investing in digital platforms. Lazarus announced that he will collaborate with Jones' successor, Rebecca Kutler, as they chart the network's future.
Questions about MSNBC's future abound. Will its political coverage change with Donald Trump back in power? After spinning off, will the network move from its iconic Rockefeller Center location? And will there be a name change?
Jones' departure seemed imminent, following reports she was considering leaving in early 2025. Her appointment as MSNBC's president struck during a similar period four years ago, coinciding with a presidential election and inauguration cycle.
In 2022, Kutler joined MSNBC from CNN, where she spent two decades. Her accomplishments at CNN include producing shows, nurturing talent, and overseeing programming for CNN+, a streaming service. Lazarus praised Kutler in his memo, highlighting her role in driving digital, social, and audio engagements to all-time highs.
Kutler has since been promoted, taking responsibility for daytime programming and overseeing podcasts, films, live events, streaming, and digital platforms. Meanwhile, Jones, in her own memo, expressed confidence in MSNBC's capacity to thrive.
Enrichment Data:- Kutler, serving as interim president, will lead MSNBC until a permanent replacement is found.- MSNBC and CNBC, among other networks, will be spun off into a separate publicly traded company named SpinCo.- MSNBC will continue in-depth coverage of the first 100 days of Trump's second term, with special programs and podcasts.- The network maintains a strong presence, despite a drop in pay-TV households due to cord-cutting.
The spin-off company, headed by Mark Lazarus, plans to leverage MSNBC's digital platforms and viewership boost, earned under Rashida Jones' leadership, to further expand the business in the media landscape. Amidst speculation about potential changes, MSNBC continues to maintain its strong presence in the media industry, venturing into podcasts, films, and live events to engage with its audience beyond traditional television.
