Rashida Jones has announced her decision to step down as President of MSNBC. Her top deputy, Rebecca Kutler, will serve as interim network president.
This leadership change comes as Comcast plans to spin off MSNBC and other cable networks into a newly formed publicly traded company. Mark Lazarus, the future CEO of the spin-off, is set to guide the network's direction.
During her tenure, Rashida Jones navigated MSNBC through a challenging news cycle, achieved record viewership, and expanded the network’s digital footprint. She was also the first Black person to lead a major television news network.
Rebecca Kutler, previously recruited by Jones from CNN, has been instrumental in driving digital and social media engagement at MSNBC. Lazarus praised her contributions and announced her plans to hire new heads of newsgathering and talent.
Addressing speculation, Lazarus confirmed that MSNBC will keep its name after the spin-off and continue operating under its established identity.
In a memo, Rashida Jones shared that her decision to leave was made over the holidays, expressing pride in MSNBC’s growth and confidence in its future under Kutler’s leadership.
The network faces key decisions, including whether to adjust its political coverage and its operational changes after moving out of Rockefeller Center.