Entertainment

NEW: Star MSNBC Host Ditches Network

Published

4 days ago

April 1, 2025

For years, Steve Kornacki’s name has been synonymous with MSNBC’s big board, as he garnered a reputation as the fast-talking numbers guy who brought a dose of excitement to poll breakdowns and live election results. His signature khakis, boundless energy, and sharp analysis made him a household name during the 2020 election.

But Kornacki’s days at MSNBC are now behind him. NBC has signed Kornacki, 45, to a new contract that locks him in as their chief data analyst, giving him a prominent role across the network’s news and sports divisions.

He’ll still be a regular face during coverage of events like the Triple Crown, the NFL, and the Olympics, as well as a fixture on NBC News Now, Meet the Press, Today, and NBC Nightly News. What he won’t be doing anymore: appearing on MSNBC.

That’s because the left-wing cable network is being spun off into its own separate entity. Parent company Comcast is restructuring operations, separating MSNBC from NBC News, and allowing the cable network to build its own independent news-gathering team.

Steve Kornacki at Rutgers University signing copies of his new book, “The Red and the Blue: The 1990s and the Birth of Political Tribalism.” This was an Eagleton Institute event at Douglas Student Center, New Brunswick, NJ. Taken on 5 March 2019,

The Los Angeles Times reported that Kornacki’s new deal excludes work for MSNBC. Instead, Kornacki opted to stay with NBC News.

His new agreement gives him flexibility—he’s now permitted to take on work with other networks and media platforms, as long as the projects aren’t tied to politics or sports. One of those outside ventures may even include a game show. Back in 2022, Kornacki shot a pilot, and sources said to The Times that idea may soon come back to life.

Born in Groton, Massachusetts, Kornacki has been with NBC since 2012 and rose to prominence hosting Up with Steve Kornacki and co-hosting The Cycle. His book, The Red and the Blue, offered an in-depth look at America’s political polarization. But it was his marathon on-air sessions during elections that catapulted him to cultural stardom.

Now, with MSNBC moving in a new direction, Kornacki’s move marks a notable turning point.

NBC confirmed Kornacki’s contract shift on Tuesday. The network has faced a wave of internal and external problems, ranging from high-profile staffing changes to technical difficulties that have frustrated viewers.

Kornacki’s exit from MSNBC is the second high-profile departure from the network since the spin-off was announced. Last month, longtime host Joy Reid was fired as part of a broader reshuffling. MSNBC, meanwhile, has already begun hiring more than 100 new journalists as it redefines its programming slate.

MSNBC came under fire for letting go of several prominent progressive voices, including Joy Reid, Alex Wagner, Jonathan Capehart, Ayman Mohyeldin, and Katie Phang. Former host Tiffany Cross blasted the network and urged Black viewers to boycott it altogether, saying, “Don’t even hate-watch.”

Rachel Maddow described it as a “bad mistake” that could damage the network’s long-term credibility and audience trust. Taken together, these problems point to a period of instability for the left-leaning network, both in terms of its public image and its operational effectiveness.