Latest in Phil Griffin

Rashida Jones will succeed Phil Griffin as president of MSNBC, the network announced Monday. Cesar Conde, chairman of the NBCUniversal News Group, said in a memo to staffers that Griffin will retire early next year and Jones will become president on February 1. “After the presidential election, Phil and I spoke about…

MSNBC announced a big change in its executive ranks on Tuesday: Rashida Jones is taking on another role, leading MSNBC’s daytime programming while retaining her role as SVP Specials for NBC News and MSNBC. NBC News Chairman Andrew Lack and MSNBC President Phil Griffin made the announcement in a memo to employees…

After breaking up with one of its commentators over an old tweet dripping with cynicism – but also a rape gag – MSNBC has had a change of heart and announced Thursday it has welcomed Sam Seder back with open arms. Days earlier, MSNBC informed political satirist/Majority Report podcaster Seder their relationship was…

MSNBC's president Phil Griffin has a new multi-year contract, according to an informed source, settling one personnel question about the network. Still no announcement on 10 PM star Lawrence O'Donnell, who tweeted May 17 that his contract expires June 4, promising to let fans know “where you can watch me June 5 if…

Jonathan Wald is bowing out of CNN, where he has been EP-ing Don Lemon’s sometimes-gobsmacking primetime show, to become SVP Programming and Development at MSNBC.  He reports directly to MSNBC president Phil Griffin and starts next week. Here is Griffin’s “memo” to staff: Team, I'm excited to announce that Jonathan Wal…

Longtime MSNBC exec Izzy Povich is leaving, cable news network president Phil Griffin announced to staff this afternoon. Povich was named VP talent and development in 2013; back then, Povich's name had surfaced on the reported short list of candidates to replace Jim Bell as exec producer of NBC News' Today. Povich…

In a move that further integrates the NBCUniversal cable news network and its NBC News unit, the network has tapped NBC News SVP Editorial Janelle Rodriguez to head up MSNBC’s daytime schedule. Rodriguez will report to MSNBC president Phil Griffin and NBC News prez Deborah Turness. The move follows MSNBC’s increased…

MSNBC's 6 PM weeknight timeslot just opened up: Al Sharpton's Politics Nation is moving to 8 AM Sundays. While Sharpton tweeted…. Good Politics Nation show tonight. I celebrate my 4 th anniversary tomorrow. I will announce I will move my show to Sunday mornings at 8 am. — Reverend Al Sharpton (@TheRevAl) August 26, 2…

MSNBC chief Phil Griffin finally confirmed Chuck Todd is returning to the network to host a 5 PM series while continuing to host NBC broadcast network’s Sunday Beltway show. Griffin also confirmed, in a Change Can Be Hard memo to staff, that its 3-6 PM lineup is toast:  The Cycle, Now with Alex Wagner and The Ed Show…

MSNBC President Phil Griffin spoke to a convention of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists to personally apologize for his network’s Cinco de Mayo segment (watch it below), which he called an embarrassment to him and the network. “I apologize to everybody in this room for what took place on May 5,” Griffin…

Former NBC comedy star and MSNBC interview host Alec Baldwin has announced in a New York Magazine cover story that he is quitting public life after being let go by MSNBC over language he used in an on-the-street rant against a photographer. In the piece, Baldwin calls MSNBC star Rachel Maddow a “phony” who doesn't…

UPDATE, 6:41 AM:  MSNBC began probation today. MSNBC was put there by the RNC, after network chief Phil Griffin apologized to RNC chief Reince Priebus before Priebus could appear on FNC‘s Hannity to talk about the boycott of MSNBC he’d organized in the wake of the net’s Cheerios ad tweet. Yesterday afternoon, Priebus…