“It was a no-brainer”: MSNBC Boots Chuck Todd Over To Streaming: “Putting Meet the Press on NBC News NOW, five days a week, is at the forefront of where we want to be in streaming news, it was a no-brainer
MSNBC has officially given Chuck Todd the Chirs Wallace treatment and moved him off cable and over to NBC’s streaming service. Todd kept a stiff upper lip about the move but weirdly called it a ‘no-brainer.’
Todd finished his final show with: “I want to take a moment to remind people of our mission here: to share with you what you need to know about what’s happening in Washington and in American politics, and most importantly, explaining why it happened, and why it matters to you.
“We cover politics as it is. It’s a mission that’s more important than ever in these increasingly divisive times. I’ve always been a big believer in finding new ways to reach new audiences.
“So we know where you are. And putting Meet the Press on NBC News NOW, five days a week, is at the forefront of where we want to be in streaming news.
“It was a no-brainer.
“We know you are here because you’re simply looking for smart, honest news and analysis. “That’s all.
“Which has been, and always will be the driving force behind Meet the Press,” he said.
NBC said in a statement:
“Distributed free across more than a dozen platforms, NBC News NOW makes Meet the Press’ world-class reporting and analysis more accessible than ever before.
“The launch is also one of the largest investments yet for NBC News NOW, the fastest-growing streaming news network in the U.S. Today’s show featured an interview with Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) on the prospects of congressional action on gun violence in the wake of the mass shootings in Buffalo, Uvalde, and Tulsa.
“Alongside the new daily show, Meet the Press debuted a set of comprehensive updates to its digital platforms, launching a new blog, website, and “First Read” newsletter. The show also launches with a new audio showcast.
“Todd was one of the first broadcast anchors to invest in streaming as a way to meet more viewers where they are, and Meet the Press NOW builds on his existing streaming successes.
“Meet the Press Reports, a weekly deep-dive program, just finished its fourth season, and Todd and NBC News Chief White House Correspondent Kristen Welker have anchored several nights of live primetime election coverage on Meet the Press: Election Night Special, exclusively on NBC News NOW.
“In addition, NBC News NOW debuts a new show with NBC News correspondent Aaron Gilchrist and adds senior investigative and consumer correspondent Vicky Nguyen to its lineup this week. NBC News “NOW is available 24/7 and offers more live hours than any other streaming news network.
“NBCUniversal News Group Chairman Cesar Conde has invested in an industry-leading streaming news portfolio, which in addition to NBC News NOW includes TODAY All Day and the MSNBC hub on Peacock. NBC News NOW remains free and accessible across a wide variety of platforms.
“The ad-supported network is profitable and posted its best quarter on record in Q1 2022 with nearly 100 million hours streamed.