There’s a new host in town taking over weeknights on MSNBC.
In a historic move announced this week, Joy-Ann Reid — an MSNBC political analyst and weekend host — has been tapped to take over the early evening time slot for the news network hosting her own show, “The ReidOut,” USA Today reports.
Reid is one of MSNBC’s most prominent Black on-air personalities, NBC News reports, and her new position makes her the first Black woman to anchor a primetime news show on the network, according to Entertainment Tonight.
As a positive representative for Black women in media, Reid says she is focused on “bringing in diverse, smart and accomplished voices to the table,” according to USA Today.
“I’m honored and thankful for this opportunity,” Reid said in a statement reported by USA Today. “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 the 7 p.m. hour 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.”
Reid is also the weekend host of her show “AM Joy,” which premiered in 2016. The show will feature a rotating lineup of hosts until a permanent replacement is found, according to NBC News.
The Brooklyn-born journalist told the New York Times that she looks forward to “addressing race, class, policing and other cataclysmic social issues we need to reckon with,” ESSENCE reports.
Reid’s friends and colleagues shared words of praise on social media as they wished her well on her new opportunity.
This is terrific news. @JoyAnnReid is so brilliant and well-informed. She has curated a much-needed space for fresh, tough, important dialogue with diverse guests. Congratulations @JoyAnnReid! https://t.co/jfTmB4zvEz
— Sherrilyn Ifill (@SIfill_) July 9, 2020
The new show will now hold the same 7 p.m. time slot as Chris Matthew’s Show “Hardball.” The show is scheduled to debut on July 20.
