MSNBC is continuing its major programming shakeup with the addition of Eugene Daniels to its lineup.
The 36-year-old journalist, known for his political coverage and vibrant on-air presence, will take on a new role as the host of The Weekend.
Daniels’ appointment follows the recent departure of Joy Reid, whose primetime show The ReidOut was canceled as part of the network’s restructuring.
Daniels Takes Over ‘The Weekend’ Amid MSNBC Revamp
Daniels, a White House correspondent for Politico and a frequent MSNBC contributor, will officially join the network’s weekend lineup this spring.
His appointment was confirmed on Monday, with MSNBC stating that he will be one of the co-hosts of The Weekend, a morning news program airing on Saturdays and Sundays.
The current hosts of The Weekend—Michael Steele, Alicia Menendez, and Symone Sanders-Townsend—will be moving to a new weeknight primetime slot at 7 p.m., replacing Reid’s former time slot. This transition elevates three journalists of color to MSNBC’s evening programming, signaling a shift in the network’s approach to its lineup.
During an appearance on Morning Joe, Daniels expressed his excitement about the opportunity, jokingly telling hosts Mika Brzezinski and Joe Scarborough, “Thank you. You guys put me on TV all the time, so now they just stuck me there… this is all your fault.”
A Rising Star in Political Journalism
Daniels first joined MSNBC as a contributor in 2021 after establishing himself as a respected journalist at Politico, where he covered the Biden administration and the campaign of Vice President Kamala Harris. His extensive reporting on Harris earned him the title of “Kamala Harris expert,” and he was one of three Black journalists granted an exclusive interview with the vice president during her 2020 campaign.
Before his journalism career, Daniels was a college football player at Colorado State University, where he played as a defensive lineman until a shoulder injury cut his athletic career short. He later transitioned into political reporting, where he quickly gained recognition for his bold reporting style and eye-catching fashion choices.
Daniels has been vocal about his experiences in the media industry, including the challenges of being a Black journalist. He previously shared that an early employer once told him his voice was “too Black” for broadcasting. Reflecting on the experience, he said, “It taught me, one: Racism is alive and well… but also that a lot of people are going to have a lot to say, and you don’t always have to listen.”
MSNBC’s Ratings Struggles and Programming Shakeup
The decision to add Daniels to the lineup comes as MSNBC works to recover from declining ratings. The ReidOut debuted in 2020 with nearly 3 million viewers per episode, but by February 2024, that number had dropped to 778,000. The network as a whole has seen similar declines, with daytime viewership averaging 613,000 and primetime ratings falling to 1 million—significantly lower than its 2021 peak of 2.9 million.
MSNBC’s newly appointed president, Rebecca Kutler, who took over last month, has been leading the charge in revamping the network’s programming. The changes have included canceling shows hosted by Katie Phang, Jonathan Capehart, and Ayman Mohyeldin. While Capehart and Mohyeldin will transition to weekend programming, Phang will remain with MSNBC as a legal analyst.
Daniels’ New Role and Future of MSNBC’s Weekend Programming
As Daniels steps into his role on The Weekend, he will be joined by The Washington Post’s Capehart and another co-host who has yet to be announced. Additionally, Mohyeldin will be leading a newly introduced evening edition of The Weekend, expanding the network’s weekend coverage.
Daniels, who came out as gay in 2016, has also been actively involved in journalism organizations, serving as treasurer of the White House Correspondents’ Association in 2022. His presence on MSNBC marks a significant step in the network’s efforts to diversify its on-air talent while revitalizing its struggling ratings.
With major shifts underway, MSNBC is betting on fresh voices like Daniels to reshape its programming and reconnect with audiences. As the network navigates these changes, all eyes will be on The Weekend and its new host to see if this bold move pays off.
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