Major MS NOW Shakeup Includes Alex Witt’s Departure After Nearly 30 Years

Dan Clarendon
69 Comments
Alex Witt on MS NOW
MS NOW

What To Know

  • MS NOW is undergoing a major weekend programming overhaul, including the departure of veteran anchor Alex Witt.
  • The network is canceling The Weekend: Primetime, with its final episode airing June 27, .
  • Antonia Hylton will take over the 1 to 4 p.m. ET weekend slot later this summer, while current hosts of The Weekend: Primetime will remain with the network in new roles.

MS NOW’s weekend content is getting a major makeover, and the network is losing Alex Witt, a veteran anchor who has been with the network for 27 years.

Rebecca Kutler, president of MS NOW, told staffers that Witt will depart the network later this year, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Additionally, MS Now is canceling The Weekend: Primetime. That program’s last episode is scheduled for today, Saturday, June 27.

 

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In a memo to MS NOW staff on Friday, June 26, Kutler said Witt had shared “plans to conclude her tenure with the company later this year,” following an “extraordinary career” that involved the Alex Witt Reports host “anchor[ing] more hours on MS NOW than any other anchor in our network’s history.”

Kutler added: “A beloved longtime member of our MS NOW family, Alex has been a continued, trusted, and steady presence for our audiences. She has covered multiple presidential and midterm election cycles, countless historic international events, and major breaking news moments across the country. … We thank Alex for her endless contributions to the network and will have more opportunities to celebrate her in the coming months.”

In Witt’s stead, Antonia Hylton will take over the 1 to 4 p.m. ET weekend hours near the end of the summer, Kutler said, with The Weekend: Primetime executive producer Joy Fowlin serving as EP on Hylton’s new show.

“Antonia will bring her tremendous credibility, versatility, and connection with audiences to this new role. Her work has been recognized with Peabody, Murrow, and Emmy Awards; her recent ‘Cities Under Siege’ series has been a testament to her standout reporting, and we are excited to see her continue to grow in this expanded role,” Kutler said.

 

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A post shared by The Weekend: Primetime (@theweekendprime)

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Meanwhile, MS NOW plans to replace The Weekend: Primetime with taped programming and video podcasts, including the MS NOW podcasts The Best People With Nicolle Wallace and Why Is This Happening With Chris Hayes, per THR. The network is also bolstering its breaking news team so that it can still cut into the weekend programming when necessary, the outlet adds.

Ayman Mohyeldin, Catherine Rampell, and Elise Jordan, who currently host The Weekend Primetime, will stay with MS NOW “to contribute across our programming and platforms, bringing their respected reporting and distinct analysis to our audiences,” Kutler told staffers.

Alex Witt Reports, Weekends, 1/12c, MS NOW

The Weekend: Primetime, Final Episode, Saturday, June 27, 6/5c, MS NOW




Conversation69 Comments

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  1. R

    R&D

    I’m in shock. Just like that you cancel one of the best shows on TV. I too will not be watching podcasts. So much talent gone to waste. I still miss Joy Reid & Alex Wagner. Someone at MSN keeps messing with perfection.

    1. S

      SYoungberg

      kutler should be fired!!!!

      1. K

        KV

        I totally agree

    2. L

      Lynn Taylor

      I could not have said it better, R&D

  2. N

    News Nerd

    If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it! 🤮

  3. P

    pbx

    They will be missed. Great chemistry between them and crisp analysis of issues under discussion.

    I will not be sticking around for taped programming.

  4. C

    Can

    I won't be watching taped programming. They should quit screwing over Ayman, he is a gem. I will miss Alex Witt also. It will be Dr. Pol reruns on Saturdays & Bloomberg on Sundays.

  5. G

    Guest

    Aymond is the best anchor on MSNow - and one of the few who can pronounce the Arabic names! In the beginning, I didn’t think the four hosts had much chemistry, but they ended up hosting one of the best weekend news shows on MSNow. I will be switching to CNN during this time slot.

    1. D

      Denise

      I have already switched to a lot of CNN programming when they began to demolish this network programming last year. I cannot stand to watch Jen Psaki who is boring as dry paint! These show and anchor shakeups are destroying this network but maybe that is what they intend to do like CBS and other networks.

  6. F

    Fmdc8

    This is obviously cost cutting move. Dump a few salaries & use and/or rerun podcasts. Sad to see Weekend Primetime vanish. Talented likeable people gone. Money, money, money....

  7. R

    rmalbrew

    Whomever created the Weeknight and the Weekend is a genius. Those are the two most enjoyable shows, per their personalities, on MS Now today; and now the network wants to ruin such enjoyment for their loyal viewers is just asinine.

  8. P

    Pearle Williamoski

    I am totally disappointed with all the changes this network is making. Some great programs like Weekend Primetime are leaving might make me find another network. Ayman has been one of my favorite and it seems like he gets bumped around a lot. I'm not interested in Pod cast.

  9. C

    Carole195589

    Will miss both programs!! Alex is the best. Watching her every Saturday and Sunday. Not sure what or who I will watch now. Just started watching the weekend prime time a few months ago and really enjoyed all 4 hosts. Think canceling them is a mistake. I also miss Ali V. In the 10:00am slot on the weekend. Can’t watch him at 11pm. They will be missed by me and I don’t like the new lineup. So I won’t be watching MS NOW as much.

    1. D

      Denise

      I do love watching Antonia Hylton and will continue to view her show but all that other pre-programmed nonsense, no thanks. I hate watching the network late into the evenings on the weekend. After Sharpton I stop watching it because if I wanted to see or hear podcast I would do so and all the reshowing of weekday shows is ridiculous. CNN has decent weekend programming so that is where I will be viewing the news on the weekend. MS NOW leadership is really messing up this network.

  10. D

    Debstin

    I was disappointed to learn that the Weekend Primetime was being cancelled. Aymond and Antonia were favorites but I also liked the way the show was DIFFERENT from other MSNBC shows, with a more youthful and often, but not always, progressive point of view. It was refreshing!

    Pod Save America is sometimes amusing but too many guys! I won’t be tuning in as much.

    Thanks Primetime! You were unique!

  11. D

    Debbrra

    Sorry I won't be watching I love this primetime time group . I find something else to watch I don't want to watch pod cast stuff. It was a great show.

  12. G

    Gclark8515

    I'm thinking - WTH?? They had good chemistry and great stories. Why have they been cancelled?????

    1. P

      pbx

      Unfortunately It’s all about $$$

  13. P

    Par

    Why Alex? She has been there since the beginning. Why Ayman. Yes, my goodness why Ayman

  14. H

    Hopeful

    So, you announce this decision on Friday and WP is off the air on Saturday? Couldn't make payroll? Perhaps viewers were watching the Crooked show because they were already watching Primetime? Hopefully Ayman & Catherine start a YouTube channel either individually or together, much like Katie Phang did after you mistakenly fired her.

  15. L

    Loyal viewer

    This is a travesty. Do you think your viewers will stick around to watch podcasts. You LISTEN to podcasts. They are not for viewing. Shame on you MSNOW. And the loss of Alex Witt leaves no one to mentor the rest of your fledgling news crew.

  16. M

    MLW

    I think this move is a mistake.

  17. F

    FLFan25

    BAD DECISION! I want to watch real reporting of real news by real reporters NOT reruns of podcasts by reporter wannabes.

    1. G

      GLASGOW2654

      Watch British news like BBC News, Sky News, ITV News then. British networks actually read the news, NOT just chat about it.

  18. B

    BJ

    You might as well go dark on the weekends. Alex Witt leaving after many years is understandable, but what a loss. Ali Velshi was a weekend bright spot. He’s one of the most intelligent, original hosts on MSNow. It took a few years, but The Weekend:Primetime group melded together, and I looked forward to their show. I turnoff Crooked highlights. It is old news and the banter is stupid. Now you plan on going all podcast!! Podcasts may be trending, but they get old and boring. A weekend of them will kill your weekend viewership. I know as an MSNow junkie, I’m out on the weekend changes.

  19. L

    lb

    I have no idea why you are trying to fix something that isn't broken. I enjoyed weekend primetime and will miss the show.

  20. R

    R&D

    I say why don’t we cut Kutler

  21. K

    KV

    Huge mistake!!!!

    Please find an on air spot for Ayman, he is awesome!!!

    Please consider replacing Jonathan Capehart with Ayman!!!! Jonathan seems like a nice man and probably a great print journalist…..but he’s terrible as an on air personality!

    Stumbles a lot and can’t read prompter, and seems a bit air headed. But a genuinely nice man Im sure!

    This is a bad move….

    I guess I’ll be watching HBO Max or Netflix instead of MS NOW on weekend evenings

  22. G

    Guest

    This is sad and disappointing news… the Weekend was one of best news and interview shows on the network… all true professionals… and Alex Witt is the best… will truly be missed. I feel it’s a big mistake to replace live news with taped podcasts that we can watch anytime. I’ve been a loyal fan of this network since its inception but totally disagree with this decision

  23. S

    sue

    definitely to save money, they don't have to pay 4 people for 3 hours and play cheaper stuff like podcasts, I won't be watching!

  24. J

    JB

    What a shock…it was my favorite weekend news program …I too will not be watching podcasts

  25. G

    Guest

    I miss Ali Velshi on weekend mornings. I am unable to watch at 11pm weeknights. It may have been a better move to keep Velshi where he was and reduce Alex's hours to allow Jacob Soboroff that time.

  26. D

    DR

    The Weekend Primetime was the only MS Now news program that I watched regularly. It was excellent. The hosts were smart, thoughtful, and had diverse viewpoints and expertise. Their guests were top-notch. I am not interested in taped programming or video podcasts so I will not be watching MS Now during the weekend. I always looked forward to hearing what Ayman had to say and the other hosts were also surprising and interesting. A real loss.

  27. M

    Marbo

    I think I will not watch what’s the point of watching a podcast. I hate Crooked. They already repeat so many shows. I find I watch less and less. I feel as though Ari is on repeat forever. I dislike The Best People. It’s boring

  28. W

    wendy v

    I so miss Joy. She was not treated well at all. I worked in TV news. It all comes down to money.

  29. L

    Lynn Taylor

    Replacing good journalists with opinionated podcasts is a big mistake

  30. B

    brhohens

    Yes me too on the consensus comments. Alex was respectable with her manner, delivery and questions. Best of luck to her.

    I really looked forward to Saturday evening with Weekend Primetime. Those four were the very best mix; Ideas, humor, intelligence. What a team. Its a big loss. i wont be watching Podcasts on air, thanks but no thanks.

    And a sincere thanks to Ayman and the team. whole is greater than the sum of the parts.

    BN, north of seattle

  31. K

    Karen

    They missed the perfect opportunity to 86 Jackie Alemany. Since she makes The Weekend unwatchable, I guess I'll be watching CNN on the weekends. I'm not watching podcasts. MS NOW is basically already a 24/7 podcast, and they never miss an opportunity to shortchange Ayman Moyheldin. Ugh. Ayman should go independent.

  32. P

    Pat

    Bad move…other than Elise, the group was fantastic. No warning to viewers…looks like demotions…I don’t like televised podcasts.

    1. K

      Karen

      Yep. They should have just gotten rid of Elise and left Ayman and Katherine as a duo in that slot.

  33. G

    Guest

    This program offered smart thoughtful intelligent news presentations, effective guest Interviews, and wise commentary. All were excellent in all aspects !! They had grown into goid effective connections with each other and their approach to providing an excellent, informative, and thought provoking program. I Don’t understand the need to cancel and begin using taped podcasts THAT EARLY in the evening WHEN YOU HAVE THIS INTELLECTUALLY STIMULATING PROGRAM!

    Start the good taped podcasts etc later in the evening and not at the expense of Primetime Weekend! Please reconsider your decision!!!

    RE: Amman . This.man, as long as he has been with the iterations of MS NOW deserves and has demonstrated the distinct successful and impactful intellectual competence and ability as an anchor to relate to and impart professionalism in his news reporting, interviewing skills and with his vast treasure house of knowledge and experience to “go to where news takes him” at the moment and provide excellent commentary and framing of the events/ breaking news/ political discussions of the moment.

    GIVE HIM A SPACE IN YOUR SCHEDULING TOO.

    He is an invaluable asset to your MS NOW. I’m surprised you don’t appear to realize it ircappreciate these facts!!

  34. T

    TW

    I think that ms now was forced to cancel this very informative news program. Updating on so many issues concerning our country. This is so disappointing. There has been many programs that have been canceled we have no control over it. Very disappointing watcher.

  35. T

    Tkc3

    I loved weekend prime time period and why are they not keeping Alex wit? In some capacity, I don't know what's up with this Cutler person. But I will not be watching any of that programming, that's going to be replacing weekend primetime back to it.You launched me

    1. T

      Tkc3

      I did that voice to text. So excuse the gibberish, but first joy read. And now this i don't recognize this network anymore, and it's all about money. It should be more about journalism. What kind of profit margin do you have to make to satisfy? Whoever the Beremcounters are you are seriously driving this network into the ground. I will look at the B. B c al jazeera sky news, whether I can find that live.I will not watch taped programming or your reruns of ari. And deadline, white house.And what's happening with reverend al

  36. P

    Paula

    Ridiculous changes! I won't be watching old podcasts and will be forced to watch CNN. Loved the Weekend Primetime

  37. J

    jot

    Clearly, these changes were driven by ratings and cost. But I also think something else is at play. If you watch MS Now on a regular basis, as we do in our household, it can sometimes be difficult to see everything as serious and urgent. It can lead to anger or just a general feeling of impotence. Occasionally, you need a break and some black humor is necessary. The Bulwark, Pod Save, and even programs like "Have I Got News for You" bring lighter moments which can be very helpful during these very stressfl times.

  38. G

    Guest

    Auto check in earlier comment (immediately before) decided to incorrectly change Ayman’s name to Amman., So sorry about that, Ayman!

  39. C

    Chuck Groan

    This is an excellent group of contributors on Weekend: Primetime!

  40. W

    Wendy Rusler-Martinez

    Ayman Mohyeldin has been one of my favorite anchors. I was truly disappointed when he lost his show then I slowly developed a very distant liking for his role along with his three female co-hosts on the weekend primitime. Even with the one female getting her own show, it was the four of them together that made the magic for the show. Im truly disappointed with the changes that msnow continues to make. I believe it's political!!

  41. A

    Another guest

    I will so miss Alex Witt. She's one of my favorite anchors. I believe she's retiring, but it's not clear from what Kutler has said. I really like Antonia Hylton, glad she's taking over for Alex. I like Corrupt, but deplore the constant gratuitous use of the F-word. It sounds worse coming from women, but that's just my opinion. It diminishes them, makes them look "less than" and unserious. Language has devolved everywhere you look thanks to the current administration's penchant for vulgarity. It seems that the weekend lineup of shows is devolving as well, but I'll wait and see what unfolds before I judge.

  42. K

    Kinhop

    It's bad enough hardly any streaming services offer MSNOW and they don'thave their own live app. Then to get rid of Alex Witt, whom I always watch or listen to. Now Aymin??? What is going on over there??? I will not be watchinibg a podcast. I can listen to one elsewhere.

  43. K

    Kathleen

    I am so disappointed. We have thoroughly enjoyed Weekend Primetime. Will not choose watching reruns and podcasts. Watching more and more HGTV🤷‍♀️

  44. S

    Susan

    Hate that Alex Witt will be gone, hate what they are doing.....I'll be watching more podcasts and less MSNBC!

  45. L

    Ljm

    I think this is awful. Im sure ratings have dropped. Most of my favorite anchors have been moved to a different time slot and replaced by field journalists that just dont belong behind a desk. Come on MS NOW what the heck. Your weekends were only saved by Alex and the Rev. You all might as well take the rest of the time off cause thats where your at OFF....

  46. G

    guest

    Soon I wont be watching at all. The changes are disappointing. Ayman deserves his show back. This seems to be streaming along the lines of CBS.....

  47. D

    db

    Disappointed. No Pod cast for me either. Will continue to watch Politics Nation and change channel. Will miss Alex and Weekend Primetime.

  48. W

    wendy v

    Nothing surprises me about tv anymore. Its all about money. Blue Bloods, news anchors - if you can get someone just out of J school (journalism), they are eager to work for almost nothing. Even notice how young the "senior" Washington correspondents are now? Look at Kaitlan. Shes 30 and shes senior on cnn. Meanwhile, Wolf is now in the background. So sad.

  49. K

    Kim

    I believe Alex had planned to “retire” a while back. But weekend prime time was 1of my favorites..Katherine was iffy, but love Ahymen & the other girls…

  50. A

    Auntie

    Never watched it

  51. P

    Plm

    Does Eugene Daniel’s hair have glitter in it?

  52. H

    Heart

    What I already miss is Ayman's informed perspective on the Middle East. He should still have his stand alone show instead of so many hours of Antonia Hylton. Contrary to other commenters, I like the televised podcasts. I enjoy seeing the discussions as they occur.

  53. N

    Nancy

    Velchi

  54. N

    Nancy

    Losing Alex Witt is a loss for ms now. Her news program is not fluff or personal information..she has a straight up news program..no editorial. Velocity gone on Saturday and now Witt..I knew when watching them I would hear the news. Good bye.

  55. A

    Ann1

    Not good changes. Thank goodness they didn’t give the slot to unbearable Alex Wagner, however.

  56. G

    GLASGOW2654

    7 greatest news networks in the world are BBC News, CNN, NBC News / Sky News (NBC Universal / Comcast), MSNOW (Versant), CBS News, ABC News and ITV News. ZERO comparison anywhere. 💙

  57. G

    GLASGOW2654

    Get rid of Symone Sanders Townsend, Rachel Maddow, Luke Russert, Jonathan Capehart, Eugene Daniels and Lawrence O'Donnell. Bring back the gorgeous Alex Wagner immediately. I am so glad they kept the gorgeous Alicia Menendez, Ali Vitali and Antonia Hylton. Joe Scarborough, Michael Steele, Elise Jordan and Nicole Wallace are brilliant, giving a slightly conservative viewpoint.

    1. S

      Sydney

      Back the bus up, Glascow! Lol. (Used to work with a Glascow, I just had to respond)

  58. R

    rmills807

    The network should just shut down.

    1. S

      SYoungberg

      Hell no!!! I adore Nicolle, Rachel and Lawrence. Ali is brilliant!!! We need something on tv telling the truth.