MS NOW is overhauling its weekend lineup by leaning harder into podcasts, taped programming and outside partnerships — a shakeup that will also mark the end of longtime anchor Alex Witt’s nearly three-decade run at the network.
MS NOW chief Rebecca Kutler informed staff Friday that the network is revamping its weekend strategy as it invests in its direct-to-consumer business, expands content partnerships and restructures programming. The changes will include a “small” number of layoffs.
Among the biggest moves is the departure of Witt, one of the network’s longest-serving anchors, who plans to leave later this year after nearly three decades with the company. News of Witt’s departure was reported by Variety.
An MS NOW spokesperson confirmed the Variety report and said there are nearly 40 open roles across the network and that more than a dozen are expected to post in the coming weeks.
“After nearly three decades, Alex Witt has shared with us her plans to conclude her tenure with the company later this year, following an extraordinary career,” Kutler wrote in a memo to staff.
Kutler praised Witt as “a beloved longtime member of our MS NOW family” who “anchored more hours on MS NOW than any other anchor in our network’s history.”
She credited the journo with guiding viewers through some of the nation’s defining news events, including the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster, Hurricane Katrina, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine.
“We thank Alex for her endless contributions to the network and will have more opportunities to celebrate her in the coming months,” Kutler wrote.
Witt’s weekend afternoon slot will be filled by Antonia Hylton later this summer.
Hylton will anchor the network’s 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. weekend hours, with “The Weekend: Primetime” executive producer Joy Fowlin taking over as executive producer of the new program.
The programming overhaul will also bring an end to “The Weekend: Primetime,” with the final broadcast scheduled for Saturday.
Its hosts — Ayman Mohyeldin, Catherine Rampell and Elise Jordan — will remain with the network and continue contributing across its various programs and platforms.
The lineup changes are part of a broader strategy to shift more of the network’s weekend schedule toward taped programming, including existing MS NOW podcasts such as “The Best People with Nicolle Wallace” and “Why Is This Happening with Chris Hayes.”
Kutler also said the network plans to announce additional outside content partnerships in the coming weeks and months, building on its existing relationship with Crooked Media.
According to Kutler, the recent launch of “Crooked on MS NOW” delivered the strongest debut for one of the network’s taped series among total viewers in three years and its strongest launch in the key demographic in more than four years.
She said roughly half of the show’s Saturday-night audience consisted of viewers who were new to MS NOW.
Despite the increased emphasis on taped programming, Kutler told employees the network will continue airing about 20 hours of live programming every weekend.
She added that the breaking news operation will be expanded to ensure the channel can interrupt prerecorded programming whenever major news warrants.
The push comes as MS NOW deepens its relationship with Crooked Media, the progressive media company founded in 2017 by former Obama aides Jon Favreau, Jon Lovett and Tommy Vietor.
The company built its audience around the hit political podcast “Pod Save America” and has since expanded into video programming, live events and a broader slate of left-leaning political shows.
The Post has sought comment from MS NOW and Crooked Media.
