MS NOW has found its next late-morning anchor. Peter Alexander will debut State of Play on August 10.
What We Know: MS NOW will premiere State of Play on Monday, August 10, at 11 AM ET, placing Peter Alexander in the weekday timeslot previously occupied by Andrea Mitchell for nearly two decades. Mitchell stepped away from the role after retiring last year. Alexander joins MS NOW after departing NBC News in March. During his tenure there, he spent 15 years covering the White House and, since 2018, also served as co-host of the weekend edition of Today. Now, he’ll lead the network’s late-morning coverage as political attention increasingly shifts toward the 2026 midterms and the early stages of the 2028 presidential race.
What They Said: “The launch of State of Play strengthens our programming at a pivotal moment in the country and further positions MS NOW at the center of the 2028 election cycle. With the midterm elections quickly approaching and the race for the White House beginning to take shape the day after, we are well-positioned to play a leading role in covering the stories, issues, and campaigns that will define the years ahead.” -MS NOW Senior Vice President of Programming Greg Kordick
What Remains Unclear: MS NOW hasn’t announced the show’s regular format, recurring contributors, or whether Alexander will continue handling any assignments outside the daily program. The network also hasn’t detailed how State of Play will distinguish itself from other daytime political news offerings.
What It Means: Alexander’s hiring gives MS NOW a veteran political journalist with deep White House experience and a familiar national television presence. As campaign activity accelerates, the network is betting that his reporting background and broadcast profile can strengthen its daytime lineup while helping establish a stronger foothold ahead of another busy election cycle.
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Garrett Searight is Barrett Media’s News Editor, which includes writing daily news stories, features, and opinion columns. He joined Barrett Media in 2022 after a decade leading several radio brands in several formats, as well as a 5-year stint working in local television. In addition to his work with Barrett Media, he is a radio and TV play-by-play broadcaster. Reach out to him at Garrett@BarrettMedia.com.