TVNewser’s Alex Weprin reports that at the end of The Ed Show tonight, Ed Schultz announced that he is going to weekends and it was his decision…
Schultz said that the decision to move to the weekend was his alone. MSNBC plans to announce the new host during the NBC News Group upfront presentation in New York tomorrow.
“I raised my hand for this assignment for a number of personal and professional reasons,” he said. “My fight on ‘The Ed Show’ has been for the workers and the middle class. This new time slot will give me the opportunity to produce and focus on stories that I care about and are important to American families and American workers.
Ok, place your bets as to who gets 8pm…Ezra Klein? Chris Hayes? Melissa Harris-Perry? A Player to be named later?
Update: The fact that the announcement will happen at an Upfront makes me think MSNBC is either going for a big splash with a big name from outside or it’s moving Hayes. Announcing Klein would be kind of anti-climactic because he’s not a big name and not well known relatively speaking. Announcing a Hayes move would make sense at an upfront though. My fear is it’s a big name from oustide but a bad fit. Joy Behar immediately comes to mind since she’s essentially available at the right price.
Update 2: MSNBC’s release…
“THE ED SHOW” MOVES TO WEEKEND EVENINGS ON MSNBC
NEW YORK – March 13, 2013 – MSNBC’s “The Ed Show,” hosted by Ed Schultz, will move to weekend evenings next month. The announcement was made by Ed Schultz on his broadcast this evening. “The Ed Show” will air live on MSNBC from 5-7 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays beginning in April. More details of Ed’s new weekend program will be announced in the coming weeks.
From Ed Schultz:“And in the big finish tonight, a big personal and professional announcement. MSNBC will be expanding its weekend programming and this opens a big opportunity for “The Ed Show” and my brand. I will be leaving this time slot at 8 PM ET and moving to Saturday and Sunday from 5 to 7 PM.
I raised my hand for this assignment for a number of personal and professional reasons. My fight on “The Ed Show” has been for the workers and the middle class. This new time slot will give me the opportunity to produce and focus on stories that I care about and are important to American families and American workers.
I’m very proud of the work our team has done here at 8 PM, but sitting behind this desk five nights a week doesn’t cut it for me. I want to get out with the people and tell their stories. This show has been a show that has been a voice for the voiceless. That really was my mission when I came here and it remains.
I’m going to be here at MSNBC for a long time – I’m not going anywhere – and I invite all of you to join me on Saturday and Sunday from 5 to 7 PM. The show will start in April.
I will continue to do my radio show, and I’ll be back here tomorrow night for my final show.”
Statement from Phil Griffin, President of MSNBC:
“I’m thrilled for Ed and happy to be expanding our weekend programming,” said Phil Griffin. “It’s an exciting time for MSNBC and I’m looking forward to having Ed’s powerful voice on our network for a long time.”
Filed under: MSNBC
