Ari Melber, host of one of MSNBC’s highest-rated programs, is reportedly in discussions with rival networks about potentially leaving the struggling cable news outlet as it prepares for a major corporate restructuring.
The 45-year-old journalist, who has anchored “The Beat with Ari Melber” since 2017, has already held meetings with competing networks and is also considering launching his own media company, according to a report published by Breaker on May 27.
Two sources familiar with the situation confirmed that Melber is exploring his options as parent company Comcast prepares to spin off MSNBC into a new entity called Versant later this year. The potential departure would represent another significant blow to the network, which has experienced a series of high-profile exits and programming changes in recent months.
Melber’s show occupies the coveted 6 p.m. Eastern time slot and has consistently ranked as a ratings winner for the network. His program ranked fourth among MSNBC’s shows as of late May and has demonstrated particular strength on digital platforms. The show has generated over 1.5 billion views on YouTube, making it a crucial component of new MSNBC president Rebecca Kutler’s growth strategy for the network’s online presence.
The timing of Melber’s potential exit comes during a turbulent period for MSNBC, which has faced declining ratings and significant personnel changes. The network’s viewership dropped 29 percent in total viewers and 40 percent in the 25-54 demographic during primetime by May 2025. In the week of May 12, MSNBC averaged 532,000 total viewers.
Kutler initiated a programming overhaul in February that resulted in the cancellation of several shows. Joy Reid, Katie Phang, Jonathan Capehart, and Ayman Mohyeldin all lost their programs, though Capehart and Mohyeldin were reassigned to new shows within the network. The changes followed Rachel Maddow’s decision to reduce her on-air presence from five nights per week to just Monday evenings and special events.
Last month, election analyst Steve Kornacki confirmed his departure from MSNBC to focus exclusively on NBC News programming. Kornacki, known for his detailed election night coverage, will now contribute to programs including “Meet the Press,” “Today,” and “NBC Nightly News.” His exit represents the loss of one of the few on-air personalities who attracted both conservative and liberal audiences.
In addition to hosting his evening program, Melber serves as MSNBC’s chief legal correspondent. His show has attracted a younger demographic compared to most cable news programming, a factor that makes him particularly valuable to network executives concerned about aging viewership. Earlier this year, Melber defended the network against criticism from President Donald Trump, who claimed MSNBC was “close to death.”
Melber indicated to Forbes that the network was performing well, stating that MSNBC was reaching more people than ever and beating both ESPN and CNN in total audience television ratings. He noted that MSNBC had surpassed Fox News on YouTube in the previous year, calling it “a big part of the future” for news consumption.
The corporate restructuring involves separating MSNBC from NBC News and other NBCUniversal assets. The spin-off will create Versant, a new company comprising various Comcast channels under the leadership of Mark Lazarus. This transition has created uncertainty about the network’s future direction and programming strategy.
Kutler has made several strategic appointments as part of the network’s refresh efforts. She hired longtime Wall Street Journal reporter Sudeep Reddy to head the new Washington bureau. Reddy’s background in straight news reporting and economics coverage represents a departure from MSNBC’s traditionally opinion-focused programming approach.
According to September 2024 cable news ratings data, “The Beat with Ari Melber” attracted an average of 1.699 million total viewers, making it the tenth most-watched cable news program. The show’s consistent performance has made it a cornerstone of MSNBC’s evening lineup, particularly following the reduced schedule of other marquee programs.
Industry observers note that cable news personalities sometimes engage with rival networks as a negotiating tactic to secure better terms with their current employers. However, the combination of MSNBC’s corporate restructuring, declining ratings, and recent personnel changes has created an environment where talent departures appear increasingly likely. Both Melber and MSNBC representatives declined to comment on the reports.