MSNBC announced today that "The Situation with Tucker Carlson" will move to its new time, 11 p.m. ET, offering viewers the only first-run live cable news program at 11 p.m.ET/8 p.m. PT. "Rita Cosby: Live and Direct" will premiere in the 9 p.m. ET time period. Both of these changes will be effective Monday, August 8. The announcement was made by Rick Kaplan, president of MSNBC.
"I'm thrilled to extend MSNBC's primetime programming to midnight with 'The Situation with Tucker Carlson," said Kaplan. "MSNBC will be the only cable news network to offer viewers six hours of first-run primetime programming, and the network will now offer our west coast viewers a live program at 8 p.m. (PT) for the first time. The fast-paced style of 'The Situation' is best suited for a late night audience."
"Rita Cosby: Live and Direct" will be a hard-hitting, no-nonsense news program that brings viewers stories they won't see anywhere else. Cosby, a tireless and passionate journalist, is known for securing the most sought-after interviews. Each night, "Live and Direct" will deliver compelling stories, intriguing guests and Cosby's hands-on, won't-take-no-for-an-answer reporting.
"Rita is a tenacious, seasoned journalist who continually breaks big news stories," said Kaplan. "I'm tremendously pleased and proud to welcome her to MSNBC's primetime line-up."
Cosby made headlines her first day at MSNBC (June 13, 2005) by scoring a world exclusive interview with Jermaine and Tito Jackson when the Michael Jackson verdict broke. The following day, she interviewed Santa Barbara County District Attorney Tom Sneddon who was prosecuting the case, and in her second week, she got an exclusive interview with Michael Jackson's mother, Katherine.
A three-time Emmy Award winner, Cosby most recently served as host of Fox News Channel's "The Big Story Weekend Edition" and "Fox News Live with Rita Cosby." She is known for her exclusive interviews with top newsmakers, including her historic back-to-back interviews with former Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat and Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon. Cosby has also interviewed former Presidents Ford, Reagan, Bush, and Clinton. Cosby also made headlines with her exclusive Michael Jackson interview. Additionally, Cosby was granted a rare, private meeting with Pope John Paul II after receiving an exclusive letter from Timothy McVeigh explaining why he carried out the Oklahoma City bombing.
"The Situation with Tucker Carlson" is a fast-paced, comprehensive review of the most recent developments in news, politics, world issues and pop culture. Energetic, lively and nimble enough to cover every situation, the show features a regular panel of contributors for a pointed and informed discussion of the most intriguing issues of the day, as well as interviews with the world's top newsmakers.
MSNBC's primetime lineup is as follows:
(re-air 4 a.m. ET/1 a.m. PT); (re-air 1 a.m. ET/10 p.m. PT); (re-air 12 a.m. ET/9 p.m. PT); "Rita Cosby: Live and Direct," 9-10 p.m. ET (re-air 2 a.m. ET/11 p.m. PT); (re-air 3 a.m. ET/12 a.m. PT).
Bill Wolff is the executive producer for "The Situation with Tucker Carlson." Angie Dorr will serve as executive producer of "Rita Cosby: Live and Direct." Rick Kaplan is president of MSNBC.
