MS NOW Implements Major Weekend Programming Overhaul as Longest-Serving Anchor Alex Witt Prepares to Exit

MS NOW President Rebecca Kulter communicated a series of organizational shifts in a memo distributed to staff on Friday morning. These changes include replacing the program "The Weekend: Primetime" with pre-recorded content.

The network has been featuring segments from Crooked Media podcasts, such as "Pod Save America," "Assembly Required with Stacey Abrams," and "Pod Save the World," as part of an existing content agreement with the company established by former Obama administration personnel.

Further plans indicate MS NOW will introduce additional taped hours and similar formats, with new programs and content collaborations to be announced. These will join existing offerings like "The Best People with Nicolle Wallace" and "Why Is This Happening with Chris Hayes."

While the network is moving away from live programming after 6 p.m. ET on weekends in favor of pre-recorded material, staff will continue to be present during these hours to provide coverage of significant breaking news events when necessary.

Veteran Anchor Alex Witt to Depart

The internal memo also confirmed the upcoming departure of Alex Witt later this year. Witt initially joined the network in 1999, when it was known as MSNBC. Throughout her extensive career, she has hosted various programs and reported from numerous locations, covering major events ranging from election cycles to international conflicts. Over her tenure, Witt has accumulated more on-air hours for MS NOW than any other anchor in the network's history.

"Alex has guided our viewers through many of the most significant stories that have defined a generation," Kulter stated. "We thank Alex for her endless contributions to the network and will have more opportunities to celebrate her in the coming months."

The final broadcast of "The Weekend: Primetime" is scheduled for Saturday. Anchors Ayman Mohyeldin, Elise Jordan, and Catherine Rampell will remain with the network and continue to contribute across MS NOW's various platforms.

New Anchor Assignments and Staff Adjustments

MS NOW reporter Antonia Hylton is slated to anchor the 1-4 p.m. ET weekend timeslot in the upcoming months. She will also serve as a fill-in anchor for the 11 a.m. hour until Peter Alexander assumes the role later this summer.

These organizational adjustments also involve a reduction in headcount, affecting "less than approximately 2% of roles across the entire organization." Impacted employees are being encouraged to explore other open positions within MS NOW.

"As part of the changes being announced today, a small number of roles across the organization are being impacted. All affected employees have already been notified," Kulter wrote in her memo.