The Rev. Al Sharpton will only appear on MSNBC on Sunday mornings as part of a programming shake-up, according to a new report.
Variety reported on Wednesday that Sharpton’s daily “PoliticsNation” program is ending its run on Sept. 4 after four years on MSNBC.
He begins his new show during the cable channel’s 8 a.m. timeslot on Sundays on Oct. 4, it added.
“I want to congratulate Al and his team,” MSNBC President Phil Griffin said in a memo sent to staff Wednesday evening. “For four years they have done a terrific job bringing his voice and a big spotlight to issues of justice, civil rights and equality.”
“And, as many of you know, the Rev. has never missed a show,” he added. “I’m looking forward to seeing what he can do with a Sunday morning newsmaker program.”
Griffin said on Wednesday evening that MSNBC plans on temporarily filling Sharpton’s former 6 p.m. weeknight slot with breaking news coverage.
It will debut a new program in that window at a later date, he added.
Sharpton expressed enthusiasm for the move on his Twitter account late Wednesday afternoon.
“That new ‘PoliticsNation’ w/ Al Sharpton premiere on my birthday weekend,” he wrote. “I am honored with now being a Sunday morning TV host, great!”
Variety said on Wednesday MSNBC is pivoting away from political punditry amid falling ratings over the last several years.
MSNBC has axed shows hosted by Ed Schultz, Joy Reid and Ronan Farrow this year as it revamps its overall programming.
Variety added that MSNBC is seeking a more objective tone after focusing much of its analysis on progressive voices.
