Anchor just started with the network in January after leaving Fox News
Carli Velocci | June 29, 2017 @ 1:06 PM
Last Updated: June 29, 2017 @ 1:30 PM
Getty Images
After around only six months on the air, Greta Van Susteren is parting ways with MSNBC.
In an internal memo, MSNBC president Phil Griffin wished Van Susteren well.
“Greta is a well-regarded television veteran and one of only a few broadcasters who can say they’ve hosted shows at all three major cable news networks. We are grateful to her and wish her the best,” he wrote.
Griffin also announced Ari Melber, the network’s chief legal correspondent and host of “The Point” on weekends, will become a permanent host in the 6 p.m. time slot starting next month.
In the meantime, the network will rotate out hosts.
Van Susteren confirmed the news on her Twitter Thursday afternoon.
The anchor left Fox News after 14 years back in September. She said publicly that the decision came down to contract disputes and involved her taking advantage of a clause in her contract that would allow her to leave. She said in a Facebook post that the network “has not felt like home to me for a few years.”
This came after Fox News had reached a settlement in a case involving sexual harassment allegations against former CEO Roger Ailes. Van Susteren had defended Ailes, but later said she regretted it, slamming Fox News execs in the process.
Her MSNBC show, “For the Record With Greta” aired in the 6 p.m. time slot. She hosted the similarly named show “On the Record” over at Fox.
Read Griffin’s full memo below.
Team,
As we continue to grow and evolve as a network during one of the most newsworthy periods in recent history I have important news about our 6pm hour.
MSNBC and Greta Van Susteren have decided to part ways. Greta is a well-regarded television veteran and one of only a few broadcasters who can say they’ve hosted shows at all three major cable news networks. We are grateful to her and wish her the best.
I’m also pleased to share that Ari Melber, MSNBC’s Chief Legal Correspondent and host of the “The Point” on weekends will become the permanent host of the 6pm hour next month. Ari is a frequent presence on TODAY and across various MSNBC shows and will continue those appearances as he takes on his new duties.
As you know, Ari has filled in for our prime time hosts, showing a natural ease with the anchor chair. Before Ari starts, we’ll have a rotation to cover six o’clock.
Please join me in wishing Greta well as she departs. We have enjoyed having her on our air and we’re thankful to her and the show team. Please also join me in welcoming Ari to this exciting new role where we’re confident he will continue to shine as he has since he started with MSNBC.
And let me take this moment to again recognize the hard work, drive and focus that’s propelled us to the best ratings this network has ever seen. Thank you.
16 MSNBC Shows That Have Gained Since Trump, Ranked (Photos)
Since taking office on Jan. 20, President Trump has boosted ratings for all the major cable news channels. But none more than MSNBC, which grew a whopping 55 percent in the first quarter of 2017 compared to the same period in 2016. In fact, the network has the 16 cable news shows that have shown the most growth.
TheWrap wondered on March 15 if Rachel Maddow would turn away viewers after the <a href="https://www.thewrap.com/rachel-maddow-played-us/">mixed reaction to her record-setting episode</a> that revealed Trump's 2005 tax return. Three weeks later, it's safe to say that didn't happen. Using the week of Trump's inauguration as a base and comparing it to the three weeks since Maddow's reveal, here are MSNBC"s big winners, ranked:
16. “For the Record with Greta”
Greta Van Susteren ditched Fox News for MSNBC and her new show has grown 23 percent compared to the week of Trump’s inauguration, while CNN has remained stagnant over the same time period.
Getty
15. “MSNBC Live with Katy Tur”
The midday newscast that airs from 2-3 p.m. ET has grown 28 percent compared to the week of Trump’s inauguration, while rival networks have lost viewers over the same timelot.
NBC
14. “MSNBC Live with Stephanie Ruhle”
Ruhle’s daily newscast airs directly after “Morning Joe” at 9 am E.T. and has gained 30 percent of total viewers compared to the week of Trump’s inauguration.
Twitter
13. “The 11th Hour with Brian Williams”
Williams’ nightly program has grown 30 percent since the week of Trump’s inauguration while CNN’s 11 p.m. ET program has gained 10 percent over the same period.
NBC
12. “All In with Chris Hayes”
Rachel Maddow’s lead-in has delivered, growing 32 percent compared to the week of Trump’s inauguration, while setting the table for one of television’s hottest programs. Hayes has the only cable news program among the big three networks to see an increase over the timeslot.
TheWrap
11. “MSNBC Live with Craig Melvin”
Melvin’s daily newscast that airs from 1-2 p.m. ET has increased 33 percent compared to the week of Trump’s inauguration, with Sean Spicer’s White House press briefings being a hot topic this time of day.
NBC
10. “Hardball with Chris Matthews”
“Hardball” paves the way for MSNBC’s red-hot primetime lineup and has seen an increase of 33 percent himself while rivals have lost viewers over the same span.
NBC
9. “MSNBC Live with Kate Snow”
Snow’s version of “MSNBC Live” airs from 3-4 p.m. ET and has increased viewership 34 percent compared to the week of Trump’s inauguration, while both CNN and Fox News have dropped.
NBC
8. “The Last Word with Lawrence O’Donnell”
O’Donnell has one of the best timeslot in cable news… directly after Maddow. His audience has grown 35 percent since the week of her record-setting Trump reveal episode compared to the week of Trump’s inauguration.
O’Donnell
7. “Morning Joe”
Joe Scarborough, Mika Brzezinski and Willie Geist’s “Morning Joe” trends on social media essentially every morning, as it appears to be the go-to morning program for political Twitter. “Morning Joe” has picked up a 35 percent bump in viewers compared to the week of Trump’s inauguration.
NBC
6. “MTP Daily”
Chuck Todd’s daily version of NBC News’ “Meet the Press” airs at 5 p.m. ET and has grown 37 percent among total viewers over the past three weeks compared to the week of Trump’s inauguration.
NBC
5. “Andrea Mitchell Reports”
Mitchell’s daily program airs at noon ET and has grown 38 percent compared to the week of Trump’s inauguration.
NBC
4. “MSNBC Live with Hallie Jackson”
Jackson’s version of “MSNBC Live” airs at 10 a.m. ET and has grown 39 percent in total viewers compared to the week Trump was sworn in, while rival CNN has grown 16 percent over the same time period.
TheWrap
3. “MSNBC Live with Steve Kornacki”
Kornacki’s daily newscast has seen a 42 percent increase among total viewers compared to the week of Trump’s inauguration.
NBC
2. “MSNBC Live” at 11 a.m. ET
Many version of “MSNBC Live” have a permanent host for a specific hour of the day, but the 11 a.m. edition features a rotating group of the network’s talent and has seen a whopping 43 percent increase among total viewers since the week of Trump’s inauguration.
NBC
1. “The Rachel Maddow Show”
Was there really any question which show would occupy the top spot? Maddow’s viewership has increased 44 percent compared to the week of Trump’s inauguration. Maddow was already on fire when she revealed Trump’s 2005 tax return and viewers have continued to flock to her program on a nightly basis ever since.
NBC
1 of 17
MSNBC has shown significant growth since Inauguration Day, particularly after Rachel Maddow revealed Trump’s 2005 tax return
Since taking office on Jan. 20, President Trump has boosted ratings for all the major cable news channels. But none more than MSNBC, which grew a whopping 55 percent in the first quarter of 2017 compared to the same period in 2016. In fact, the network has the 16 cable news shows that have shown the most growth.
TheWrap wondered on March 15 if Rachel Maddow would turn away viewers after the <a href="https://www.thewrap.com/rachel-maddow-played-us/">mixed reaction to her record-setting episode</a> that revealed Trump's 2005 tax return. Three weeks later, it's safe to say that didn't happen. Using the week of Trump's inauguration as a base and comparing it to the three weeks since Maddow's reveal, here are MSNBC"s big winners, ranked: