According to a report by Breaker, MSNBC could be on the verge of losing one of its most viewed programs, as Ari Melber is reportedly having discussions with rival networks for a move away from MSNBC. The outlet cited two sources who are familiar with the discussions. However, it also noted that Melber could be deciding whether to launch his own independent startup.
Melber has been the host of the highly rated The Beat since 2017 and was nominated for a 2020 Emmy in the Outstanding Live Interview category. Moreover, he is a one-time Emmy winner in 2016 for his reporting on the Supreme Court.
In addition to hosting The Beat, Melber is also a chief legal correspondent for MSNBC.
Meanwhile, as parent company Comcast prepares to be spun into a new company led by Mark Lazarus called VERSANT, Melber continues to pull high viewership in the 6 p.m. timeslot on the network, as well as a substantial following on social media and YouTube. Notably, Melber’s clips on YouTube specifically draw a significant number of views, as the network aims to draw more attention in the social space.
Furthermore, the news of Melber reportedly considering leaving the network comes after Rachel Maddow reduced her workload earlier this year from five nights a week to one night per week.
Neither MSNBC nor Melber have commented on the report by Breaker.
Melber is a former correspondent for The Nation, former columnist for Politico, and a former traveling correspondent covering the 2008 Obama Campaign for The Washington Independent. His writing has also been published by The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Atlantic, and The New York Daily News, among others. Additionally, Melber’s reporting has been cited by The New York Times, Washington Post, Washington Times, Guardian, Rolling Stone, National Review, and The Economist.
Previously, Melber served as a legislative aide to U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell and as a national staff member of the 2004 John Kerry Presidential Campaign.
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