MSNBC president Rebecca Kutler has appointed Sudeep Reddy, a seasoned journalist with expertise in economics, to lead the network’s newly established Washington bureau. This decision is part of Kutler’s ongoing strategy since assuming her role at MSNBC in February.
Reddy, 45, joins the left-leaning network with a reputation for delivering unbiased news, having previously worked as senior managing editor at Politico, where he managed a team of approximately 330 journalists. His selection may be unexpected to some, given MSNBC’s traditionally progressive orientation.
Scott Matthews, the senior vice president of newsgathering at MSNBC, announced on Thursday that Reddy will begin his duties as Washington Bureau Chief on June 16. Matthews’ memo to staff indicated that Reddy will be responsible for establishing and leading the network’s Washington Bureau and its news operations in Washington, D.C., which includes forming a team to report comprehensively on national capital matters.
Kutler described the MSNBC audience as intellectual, valuing analytical and contextual journalism. She stressed that the new leader will assemble and guide a robust Washington reporting team, aligning with the current demand for impactful reporting.
The network plans to hire over 220 journalists for the Washington operation, including correspondents for the White House, Capitol Hill, the State Department, the Justice Department, and the Supreme Court. This expansion is in preparation for MSNBC’s upcoming separation from NBC News and other NBCUniversal entities later this year.
Matthews noted that Reddy’s appointment underscores the importance of original and enterprise reporting for MSNBC’s future. He also mentioned that the Washington team would pay attention to both internal Washington developments and their effects on national and global audiences.
Before his tenure at Politico starting in 2017, Reddy spent nearly a decade at The Wall Street Journal as a reporter and editor, focusing on economics. His deep understanding of Washington policy likely influenced Kutler’s decision to appoint him to this pivotal role.
During his time at Politico, Reddy introduced various initiatives, such as newsletters, podcasts, live events, and digital content. He also managed strategy and operations for Politico Playbook during President Trump’s first term and initiated the newsroom’s first audio team.
Reddy also has academic experience, having served as an adjunct professor at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., from 2014 to 2021. Originally from Texas, he graduated from Brown University with degrees in biomedical ethics and American history.
The bureau Reddy will lead was announced earlier this year, shortly before Kutler gained attention by dismissing Joy Reid as one of her first significant decisions as network president. These actions are part of Kutler’s broader strategy for MSNBC, which saw increased ratings during Trump’s first term but has faced declines since.
Following the separation from NBCUniversal, MSNBC will become part of a new entity named Versant, composed entirely of Comcast cable channels. This transition will necessitate MSNBC to develop its own news operation as it will no longer have access to NBC News resources.
The Washington bureau will be located in the Hall of States building, the same complex where NBC News is currently based. However, MSNBC has clarified that it will operate independently from the broadcast outlet, which will no longer be an affiliated network.
In his new position, Reddy will report directly to Matthews and collaborate with Erin Zimmerman, vice president of newsgathering. He will oversee a team expected to grow to over 880 employees, significantly more than the 330-person team he led at Politico.
As MSNBC navigates this transitional period, Reddy’s selection suggests a potential shift toward more balanced reporting while maintaining the network’s identity. The appointment is timely for MSNBC as it prepares to operate independently and continue providing news coverage to its loyal audience.