Shake-Up Reported At MSNBC

MSNBC has implemented a big shakeup in programming this week, Mediaite is reporting, appointing SVP of programming and development Jonathan Wald and MSNBC executive editor Dan Arnall to lead dayside. The former head of dayside, NBC News SVP Janelle Rodriguez, will take control of NBC News Now, the network’s streaming service.

The changes were announced company-wide at 9 a.m. Wednesday. The new organization returns MSNBC to its former structure: dayside will be managed in two blocks, with Wald taking over 9 a.m. to noon and Arnall taking noon to 4 p.m. Wald will also continue to oversee the network’s primetime shows, alongside MSNBC president Phil Griffin.

Rodriguez will continue to lead newsgathering and editorial for MSNBC dayside, NBC Nightly News, in addition to her job for the network’s streaming service. Show producers, however, will report to Wald and Arnall.

One source familiar told Mediaite the changes came amidst mounting complaints from NBC News chief Andy Lack about a dip in MSNBC’s ratings following the end of the Mueller investigation. In May, ratings for the network in the advertiser coveted 25-54 demo were down 32% year over year. MSNBC’s ratings in total viewers were flat, though it saw an increase in dayside viewership of 8%, while CNN and Fox News were down.