MSNBC Cuts Ties With Tiffany Cross in Latest Anchor Shakeup
Another change is hitting the cable-news landscape as MSNBC‘s weekend host Tiffany Cross is out at the NBCUniversal-owned outlet.
According to Variety, the decision to leave wasn’t exactly her own as MSNBC decided not to renew Cross’ contract after two years, cutting ties with her immediately. Staffers were notified of Cross’ exit on Friday, November 4 and MSNBC has yet to comment directly on the matter.
Cross is known for hosting the commentary program titled Cross Connection. The reporter’s weekend hours will reportedly be taken over by a rotating group of anchors until a replacement is found. Staff is also apparently unaffected by the dismissal of Cross as they’ll continue with their roles on MSNBC.
Shepard Smith (Credit: CNBC)
This announcement comes off the heels of CNBC‘s cancellation of Shepard Smith‘s program, The News With Shepard Smith. Similar to Cross, Smith’s exit came after a two-year run with the news-cable outlet. A former Fox News anchor, Smith already had an established base before joining CNBC to deliver weeknight reports.
And that’s just one of the latest changes to the cable-news space as CNN recently revealed plans to roll back on original series and films, focusing more closely on reporting.
According to Variety, MSNBC’s dismissal of Cross could have something to do with their frayed relationship between them as executives were reportedly concerned about her willingness to address statements made by cable-news hosts on other networks, and engaging in commentary that didn’t meet the standards of MSNBC and NBC News.
The exit comes as a bit of a shock as Cross had been drawing in demos MSNBC hoped to attract — Black viewers, particularly Black female viewers. Cross was a former Washington bureau chief for BET and had worked as a political analyst for MSNBC before she eventually made her way to Cross Connection.
It’s unclear who may fill the anchor’s absent hours, but recent hires like former White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki, Katie Phang, or Symone Sanders are all options. Stay tuned to see what happens next as MSNBC prepares to fill its weekend hours.
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If a white commentator “spoke her mind” the malicious race baiting way that Tiffany Cross did, their ass would be out the door long ago.
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They do every night of the week it's called Fox news
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From the article-"MSNBC’s dismissal of Cross could have something to do with their frayed relationship between them as executives were reportedly concerned about her willingness to address statements made by cable-news hosts on other networks..." and that's EXACTLY why they should have kept her. If you're NOT calling out statements made by other hosts on other networks, especially if they are KNOWN lies, say the election was stolen, for example, you are NOT doing your job.
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I have to admit I'm pleased. I would, most times switch channel during her show. It was her voice, it was annoying to hear it. Sometimes she would start out where it wasn't noticeable but then further into the show it cut in my ears. Her, along with Andrea Mitchell I feel would be a good cut for the programming. I'm annoyed by Andrea's stuttering uh uh hmmm uh uh then you might get a question our completely. I know this may sound mean but they want viewers that aren't put off announcer's annoying habits.
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I love Lawrence O’Donnell’s reporting. Wish it was earlier. With Rachael gone he fills a gap with interesting, fresh ideas.
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I am very disappointed by Tiffany Cross' contract not being renewed. She was good. Her research and analysis of issues were thorough. She spoke to issues that I as a black woman did not see many commentators willing to go, due to a lack of courage or knowledge.
Would Ms Jones have fired Morning Joe staff because they speak their mind, which I like?
I see that she is now trying to do damage control.
I will not watch any of her replacements but instead go to CNN and encourage my friends to do the same.
Ms Jones needs to be careful because the tide can turn on her leadership
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I think it’s HORRIBLE..
I felt her reporting was very professional and offered the viewers a truthful report of WHAT WAS GOING ON.. MSNBC, I’m disappointed …you may have lost a new and vibrant group of Black professionals, especially WOMEN WHO SUPPORTED YOUR HOSTS AND PROGRAMS.
SAD….
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I’m sure she knew it was coming
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What "commentary that didn’t meet the standards of MSNBC and NBC News" did she make? Can you elaborate? I don't know of her, nor what she might have said to get her fired...
I mean, I feel we got a good picture from this site of the very odd and troublesome statements that that right-leaning Lara Logan made that got her recently banned from that right-wing NewsMax channel...
But here... nothing to delve deeper into, I guess...
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One less blight on the landscape.
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Good riddance.
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She wasn’t fired. They didn’t renew her contract. There’s no guarantees . It’s a contract. Done, done! Bye.
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Loss for msnbc
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I hope that she'll land a better job with a network that allows her to express her opinions without network interference. She was speaking from a black perspective not necessarily the politically acceptable perspective. Shame Shame Shame on MSNBC.
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Shame on MSNBC!
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