American TV news channel MSNBC moves Joy Reid to a primetime slot with The ReidOut replacing Hardball.

by Thinus Ferreira

The American TV news channel MSNBC (StarSat 263) is moving anchor Joy Reid to a primetime slot in the United States with her new nightly news programme, The ReidOut that will replace Hardball from 20 July.

Viewers in South Africa and across sub-Saharan Africa will be able to watch Joy Reid and The ReidOut at 01:00 in the mornings South African time on MSNBC.

Joy Reid joined MSNBC in 2011 as a contributor and started as the presenter of AM Joy in 2016 on weekends.

The New York Times reports that The ReidOut will be done from Washington and focus on political analysis but will also "address race, class, policing and other cataclysmic social issues we need to reckon with".

In an interview with The Washington Post Joy Reid explained that The ReidOut show name is a reference to a "readout" in politics, when a summary of a call or meeting is provided.

"I really thought a lot about the name because it’s got a good little hashtag capability, and I think it speaks to my love of politics."

MSNBC in a prepared statement only released by MSNBC on Thursday afternoon after the two newspaper interviews serving as the announcement, Phil Griffin, MSNBC president, said that "I’m thrilled to have Joy on five nights a week".

In the statement, Joy Reid said that "I’m honoured and thankful for this opportunity. I’ll always be proud of the work we did on AM Joy by pushing the envelope and tackling pragmatic conversations."

"I’m eager to carry that same energy into primetime where we can continue to build on bringing in diverse, smart, and accomplished voices to the table on topics that are important to our viewers."

Joy Reid replacing Melissa Harris-Perry in her old timeslot on MSNBC in a new 2-hour show on Saturdays and Sundays at 4pm, starting this Saturday.

Joy Reid is taking over the old timeslot of the fired Melissa Harris-Perry on MSNBC (StarSat 263) from this Saturday, according to MSNBC.

Melissa Harris-Perry was fired in February after 4 years after saying she's not MSNBC's "token little brown bobble head" after the incensed anchor lashed out over MSNBC for taking her show off the air for weeks for political coverage of the upcoming American elections.

Joy Reid, a national correspondent for MSNBC who joined the TV news channel in 2011, will now anchor a new 2-hour show on Saturdays and Sundays at 16:00 (South African time) in Melissa Harris-Perry's old timeslot.

Joy Reid's new show will start this Saturday, 7 May on MSNBC.

"Melissa did a show that was incredibly valuable," says Joy Reid in a statement.

"Instead of trying to replace it, we will fill the space with something new; something compelling, and something that adds to the conversation."

"MSNBC viewers crave not only the facts, but also in-depth discussion and analysis from a range of perspectives," said MSNBC president Phil Griffin.

"There is no one better equipped than Joy Reid to lead this new project, and create a place for the kind of unique discussion our audience has come to expect."

BREAKING. New schedule for MSNBC during primetime in South Africa on StarSat, starting 24 February.

MSNBC (StarSat 410) will have a new primetime schedule for South African TV viewers coming into effect from 24 February, the American 24-hour TV news channel just announced.

Several MSNBC shows will be changing timeslots from after the 2014 Winter Olympic Games in Sochi.

NewsNation with Tamron Hall moves to 18:00 (all South African times) from 24 February.

Andrea Mitchell Reports moves to 19:00. Ronan Farrow will have his as-yet-untitled weekday show at 20:00, and Joy Reid will start her brand-new as-yet-untitled weekday show and timeslot at 21:00 South African time.

"Tamron Hall has established herself as one of the best news anchors in the business," says Phil Griffin, the president of MSNBC in a just-issued press statement. "It strengthens us to have her host during our morning news block."

"Andrea Mitchell is so critical to MSNBC," says Phil Griffin. "Andrea brings on the biggest newsmakers of the day and the new time slot will help showcase her work".

MSNBC is adding Ronan Farrow at 20:00 for South African viewers, and Joy Reid at 21:00.

"One of the highlights of this job is finding new talent," says Phil Griffin. "Ronan Farrow and Joy Reid are two of the most thoughtful and impressive journalists out there and I'm excited for what they will bring to the afternoon."

Here is MSNBC's schedule for South African viewers on StarSat from 24 February:

16:00 The Daily Rundown with Chuck Todd
17:00 Jansing and Co.
18:00 NewsNation with Tamron Hall
19:00 Andrea Mitchell Reports
20:00 Ronan Farrow's new show
21:00 Joy Reid's new show
22:00 The Cycle
23:00 NOW with Alex Wagner