Rashida Jones, the first Black leader of a major television news network, has announced her departure as president of MSNBC. Rebecca Kutler will serve as the interim head of the network following Jones’ exit. This leadership shift coincides with Comcast’s plans to separate MSNBC and its other cable channels into a standalone publicly traded entity.
Mark Lazarus, who will lead the newly formed company as CEO, commended Jones for guiding MSNBC through an unprecedented and intense news cycle over several years. Under her leadership, the network achieved record-breaking viewership and significantly enhanced its digital presence.
Rebecca Kutler, who joined MSNBC in 2022 after spending 20 years at CNN, has played a vital role in the growth of the network’s digital, social media, and audio content. Her recent promotion to oversee daytime programming, along with podcasts, films, and other digital initiatives, highlights her increasing influence in shaping MSNBC’s direction.
During a staff meeting, Lazarus confirmed that the MSNBC brand would remain intact after the spinoff. He emphasized that one of Kutler’s key tasks would be to establish a strong leadership team, including hiring heads of talent and newsgathering.
Jones, who took the helm of MSNBC four years ago, reflected on her accomplishments in an internal memo, expressing optimism about the network’s future. However, she did not disclose her upcoming plans.
The leadership transition has sparked curiosity about the network’s strategy for political coverage, particularly under the incoming administration of President-elect Donald Trump. Questions also linger about the fate of MSNBC’s iconic location at Rockefeller Center post-spinoff. Despite these uncertainties, Lazarus reassured employees that the network remains dedicated to its mission and values as it enters a new phase.
