Late last year, MSNBC host Mehdi Hasan announced he would exit the cable news channel. After launching a new digital media company, Hasan calls the departure from his cable news home a blessing.
While being profiled in New York Magazine, Hasan shared that while he was sad to see his time with both Peacock and MSNBC come to an end, there is a bright spot.
“Look, was I disappointed when they canceled my show? Of course,” he said. “But in hindsight, it was a blessing. I can say whatever I want in a way a lot of folks who have employers can’t. I think being self-employed is gonna be the greatest thing that ever happened to me.”
Mehdi Hasan announced the launch of Zeteo earlier this year, with a focus on digital video and podcasts. At the time of the company’s announcement, the former MNSBC host claimed he had assembled an “Avengers-style team of contributors” that “will blow your mind.”
While being on the opposite end of the political spectrum of those who have created similar outlets — like Tucker Carlson, Ben Shapiro, and Bill O’Reilly, Hasan said he is studying the business practices of similar enterprises.
“I don’t have to agree with people to see what they’re doing and what works,” he argued.
Hasan side-stepped questions about whether or not he signed an NDA with MSNBC during his exit, but did say “We’ve both agreed we’re not going to spend time going over what happened in the past or critiquing each other.”
