NEW YORK — MSNBC star Rachel Maddow may leave the left-of-center news network when her contract ends in early 2022.
Citing multiple unidentified people familiar with her situation, The Daily Beast reports the 48-year-old broadcaster is being counseled by her team of representatives as she considers bringing her sizable brand elsewhere, which is more likely in the “streaming and podcasting space” than to a competing network.
Maddow is MSNBC’s most-watched on-air talent. She has hosted a nightly program for nearly 13 years. Sources said to be close to Maddow say that breaking away from the television grind would free her up to spend more time to focus on her personal life as well as other professional endeavors.
Maddow was said to have enjoyed a close relationship with MSNBC president Phil Griffin before he stepped down in January. Rashida Jones succeeded him. Griffin has been consulted with regard to Maddow’s situation where talks have grown “heated,” according to the report.
A representative from Endeavor, who began representing Maddow in recent months, told Variety that no decision has been made, but described their client’s relationship with NBCUniversal as “excellent.”
In 2019, Maddow told The New York Times “It’s not good for you to work incessant long days, five days a week, 50 weeks a year for 10 years.”
Between the winding down of the Trump administration and the pandemic, the news cycle didn’t slow much after she made that comment. Maddow recently took a two-week break, which she said was the longest vacation she’s ever had.
MSNBC has pushed hard to keep Maddow on board, according to The Daily Beast. It’s unclear how the network would fill her shows. The outlet declined to comment on “employee matters.” The Daily Beast said “a major contract extension,” which could include a less busy schedule, could be offered to keep Maddow behind her current desk.
In the second quarter of 2021, “The Rachel Maddow Show” finished second in ratings to Fox News’ “Hannity,” but topped “Cuomo Prime Time” on CNN.
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