Could Shep Smith Be Joining MSNBC?

The former Fox News anchor reportedly has been in talks to join once his non-compete clause expires

Shep Smith
Shepard Smith announced his departure from Fox News in October.
Steven Ferdman/Getty Images

According to a new piece by The Daily Beast, a big shakeup at MSNBC could see former Fox News anchor joining the network while the ratings-challenged Chuck Todd gets moved to a morning slot.

Plans are still up in the air, and as the publication notes, network “brass have been batting around several options.” But one such option is to bring on Smith, who abruptly quit Fox back in October, once his non-compete clause expires.

“It’s unclear what slot he would take, but we’d want him in primetime,” an anonymous “MSNBC insider” told The Daily Beast. “We are well aware [Jeff] Zucker [president of CNN] is also pursuing him, as are a number of the networks.”

There has also reportedly been talk of moving Chuck Todd’s MTP Daily from 5 p.m. to 9 a.m. and moving current 9 a.m. anchor Stephanie Ruhle to 3 p.m. However, Todd is said to be less than thrilled about the potential change and is reportedly “resisting such a move.”

There could be more shuffling at the end of this year as well. Citing “network insiders,” The Daily Beast reports that “there could be more changes on the horizon following the 2020 election.”

Subscribe here for our free daily newsletter.

The InsideHook Newsletter.

News, advice and insights for the most interesting person in the room.