MSNBC faces another potential high-profile departure as Ari Melber, host of one of the network’s most-watched programs, has reportedly been meeting with rival networks and considering his options as the struggling cable news outlet continues its dramatic restructuring under new leadership.
Melber, 45, has been in discussions to potentially leave MSNBC and is even exploring the possibility of launching his own media company, according to reports published on May 27, 2025, by the media newsletter Breaker, citing two sources familiar with his thinking. The host of “The Beat with Ari Melber,” which airs weekdays at 6 p.m. ET, has become a ratings winner for the network since the show’s debut on July 24, 2017.
Sources indicate that Melber is “in discussions” to leave MSNBC as the network prepares for its impending separation from NBC News and other NBCUniversal assets later this year. The timing of these discussions comes amid a broader exodus of talent and significant programming changes implemented by new MSNBC President Rebecca Kutler, who officially took the helm in February 2025.
Melber’s show currently ranks as the fourth highest-rated program on MSNBC and has earned recognition for its strong performance on YouTube, which figures prominently in the network’s digital growth strategy. The show has accumulated over 1.6 billion views across its various segments, making it one of the most-streamed MSNBC programs online.
The potential departure would represent a significant blow to MSNBC, which has already lost several key personalities in recent months. Most notably, the network canceled Joy Reid’s evening show “The ReidOut” on February 25, 2025, as part of Kutler’s programming overhaul. Reid, who had hosted the 7 p.m. slot since 2020, was among several hosts of color whose shows were eliminated during the restructuring.
Additionally, popular data analyst Steve Kornacki signed a new deal with NBC News and NBC Sports on April 1, 2025, effectively ending his 13-year run at MSNBC. Kornacki, who became a household name during election coverage for his enthusiastic analysis of polling data, will now focus on NBC’s “Meet the Press” and sports programming rather than MSNBC’s election night coverage.
The upheaval at MSNBC comes as the network grapples with significant ratings challenges following the 2024 presidential election. The network saw its audience decline by 46 percent compared to the first 10 months of 2024, according to Nielsen data. However, ratings have shown signs of recovery since President Trump’s inauguration in January 2025, with primetime viewership increasing by 96 percent during the first 100 days of the new administration.
Kutler has been implementing sweeping changes to position MSNBC for its upcoming separation from NBCUniversal. The network will become part of a new company called Versant, which will be comprised entirely of Comcast cable channels. This transition has necessitated the creation of an independent newsgathering operation, as MSNBC will no longer have access to NBC News resources.
As part of this preparation, Kutler announced on May 15, 2025, the appointment of Sudeep Reddy as the network’s first Washington, D.C. bureau chief. Reddy, 45, previously served as senior managing editor at Politico, where he led a team of approximately 150 journalists. His appointment represents a potentially significant shift for the network, given his background in straight news reporting rather than opinion programming.
The new Washington bureau will be located at the Hall of States building, the same complex that houses NBC News, though MSNBC has emphasized it will operate separately from its former sister network. Kutler plans to hire more than 100 journalists for the new operation, including correspondents covering the White House, Capitol Hill, the State Department, the Justice Department, and the Supreme Court.
Melber’s potential departure would be particularly costly given his show’s strong digital performance. The program’s success in the digital space has made it valuable to MSNBC’s strategy for reaching audiences beyond traditional cable television viewership.
Melber, a longtime legal correspondent and former legislative aide for Washington Senator Maria Cantwell, has built a reputation for methodical interviewing and legal analysis. His show has featured high-profile interviews with figures across the political spectrum and has been nominated for Emmy Awards for outstanding live interviews.
Beyond traditional political coverage, Melber has distinguished his program by incorporating cultural elements, including musical guests and references to hip-hop lyrics to explain legal concepts. This approach has helped “The Beat” cultivate a younger, more diverse audience than many traditional cable news programs.
The timing of Melber’s reported discussions with other networks coincides with broader uncertainty about MSNBC’s future direction. Rachel Maddow, the network’s biggest star, returned to hosting five nights a week only for the first 100 days of the Trump administration and is expected to revert to her once-weekly schedule. This reduction in Maddow’s presence makes retaining other high-rated hosts like Melber even more critical for the network’s ratings performance.
Industry observers note that if Melber were to leave MSNBC, he would join a growing number of media personalities who have opted to launch independent ventures rather than remain tied to traditional network contracts. The rise of podcast platforms and streaming services has created new opportunities for established hosts to build their own media companies while maintaining direct relationships with their audiences.
For now, Melber continues to host “The Beat” while these discussions reportedly continue. Neither MSNBC nor representatives for Melber have responded to requests for comment about his potential departure. However, the mere possibility of losing another marquee host underscores the challenges facing Kutler as she attempts to stabilize MSNBC’s programming lineup while navigating the network’s transition to independence from NBCUniversal.
