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MSNBC chairman Andy Lack is determined to replace prime-time host Lawrence O’Donnell in the 10 p.m. ET time slot with Brian Williams after O’Donnell’s current contract is up in four weeks, a network insider told TheWrap.

O’Donnell’s show, “The Last Word,” has been a ratings hit lately with the red-hot Rachel Maddow serving as its lead-in. As recently as Thursday night, O’Donnell was the second-most watched program in cable news, behind only Maddow. “The Last Word” won its 10 p.m. ET timeslot in both total viewers and the key news demo of adults age 25-54.

At least one insider close to the situation told TheWrap that MSNBC has had only preliminary discussions with O’Donnell’s team to negotiate a new deal — though it is unclear if those talks were initiated since a Sunday HuffPost story questioning the host’s future at the network.

Also Read: Are Lawrence O'Donnell's Days at MSNBC Numbered?

As recently as Saturday, an individual close to the situation said the network had not contacted O’Donnell’s team about a new contract, adding, “I don’t know why Andy is afraid of owning something he’s been planning for two years.”

An MSNBC spokesperson told TheWrap that the network doesn’t comment on ongoing contract negotiations. Asked early Monday if the refusal to comment is confirmation that contract negotiations are indeed ongoing, and the MSNBC spokesperson replied, “Yes.” A rep for WME, which represents O’Donnell, declined to comment.

Lack has taken a large role in rehabilitating Williams’s career, which took a big hit in 2015 when he was removed as anchor of “NBC Nightly News” over revelations he exaggerated stories about his reporting from Iraq and elsewhere. Lack eased him back in as a breaking news anchor on MSNBC once reinstated and eventually giving him the 11 p.m. ET timeslot.

”Also: ”Maddow

at MSNBC is stunned at Andy’s obliviousness to Brian’s unique glass house of fake news, because of Brian’s exaggerating and lying that got him thrown off NBC,” the MSNBC insider told TheWrap. “If Trump calls NBC fake news and quotes Brian, he will be right. It’s a nuclear bomb in Trump’s hands whenever he wants to use it.”

However, Williams has been hot as well and his numbers will presumably continue to rise if he moves into O’Donnell’s timeslot — which the insider said was Lack’s plan.

“It made no sense to anyone at MSNBC that Brian was worthy of MSNBC but banned from NBC,” the insider said. “Some people think the plan is to get Brian into prime time and in couple years ease Lester Holt into retirement and restore Brian” as anchor of “NBC Nightly News.”

Meanwhile, Holt has been hot, beating ABC’s “World News Tonight” and CBS’ “Evening News” in both total viewers and the key demo of adults age 25-54 last week and landing a news-making interview with President Trump. “NBC Nightly News” also finished 2016 as the most-watched evening newscast, winning all major categories.

Also Read: 'West Wing' Writer Lawrence O'Donnell Explains Why 2016 'Ruined' Political TV Drama

O’Donnell became a regular contributor on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” in 2009, which eventually led to his own show “The Last Word with Lawrence O’Donnell” a year later. Prior to emerging as one of MSNBC’s prime-time stars, O’Donnell worked on “The West Wing” as a writer, consultant and executive producer.

Back in 2011, O’Donnell made comments to Adweek’s TVNewser that made it seem like he wouldn’t stick around for this long anyway.

“Screenwriting is my business; this thing was always a sideline. I can’t look up and imagine myself doing this [cable news] for three years,” he told TVNewser at the time.

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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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

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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:

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