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Luke Russert is joining The Weeknight as co-host in a massive MS NOW shakeup announced today. The 40-year-old son of late NBC legend Tim Russert replaces Alicia Menendez in the 7 p.m. slot. This reshuffles two major anchors on the cable news channel formerly known as MSNBC.
🔥 Quick Facts
- New Co-Host: Luke Russert joins Symone Sanders-Townsend and Michael Steele on The Weeknight at 7 p.m. ET
- Alicia Menendez: Elevated to solo daytime anchor role on MS NOW as part of Rebecca Kutler’s overhaul
- The Weeknight: Showed 30% viewer jump and 46% increase in key demographic year-over-year
- Historic Role: Russert served as host and creative director of MS NOW Live events before promotion
Emmy Winner Steps Into Prime Time Role
Luke Russert, an Emmy-winning journalist, brings eight years of Capitol Hill reporting to the network’s cornerstone political program. He previously worked for NBC News from 2008 to 2016, covering major elections and congressional politics. His expertise in Washington dynamics positions him perfectly alongside Michael Steele, the former RNC chairman, and political strategist Symone Sanders-Townsend. The trio now anchors conversation-driven news analysis at prime time.
Alicia Menendez Gets Daytime Promotion
Alicia Menendez, 42, moves to an exclusive daytime anchor slot after viewers warmed to her on-air presence. Network boss Rebecca Kutler ordered the shakeup to strengthen MS NOW’s struggling daytime hours. Menendez has previously filled in for Nicolle Wallace and anchored weekend programming successfully. The 42-year-old’s rising popularity earned her this solo hosting opportunity during critical midday viewing hours, far removed from the co-host dynamic she shared with Steele and Sanders-Townsend.
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The Weeknight Performance Drives Changes
Since its 2024 launch, The Weeknight has gained significant traction with audiences hungry for political roundtable discussion. The show recently expanded to five nights weekly in primetime, posting impressive growth numbers. Viewership jumped 30 percent compared to last year, while the crucial advertiser demographic surged 46 percent. Despite strong momentum, the program still trails Fox News rival programs by significant margins, drawing roughly 1.24 million viewers versus Laura Ingraham’s 2.9 million.
| Metric | Details |
| Show Premiere | May 5, 2025 |
| Broadcast Schedule | 7 p.m. ET, Monday-Friday plus Monday 8 p.m. hour |
| Viewer Growth (YoY) | 30% increase total, 46% increase key demo |
| Current Viewership | Approximately 1.24 million viewers |
“The Weeknight has gained momentum, expanding to five nights a week in primetime and posting sharp ratings gains including a 30 percent jump in total viewers.”
— NY Post reporting, March 18, 2026
MS NOW Network Faces Network-Wide Restructuring
Rebecca Kutler’s overhaul targets the network’s struggling daytime block, which draws 47 percent fewer viewers than evening programming. MS NOW averaged roughly 1.1 million primetime viewers in February, trailing Fox News by significant margins at 2.6 million. The channel recently rebranded from MSNBC after Comcast spun off cable assets into Versant Media Group earlier this year, formally separating operations from NBC News. These changes position the independent network for the critical midterm elections scheduled for this fall.
Will These Changes Help MS NOW Compete in Cable News Wars?
The addition of Luke Russert’s Capitol Hill expertise and his father’s legendary journalism legacy may energize The Weeknight’s political audience. However, bridging the ratings gap versus Fox News demands more than personnel changes. MS NOW must innovate content strategy and digital distribution to reach cord-cutting audiences escaping traditional cable. Menendez’s promotion signals focus on daytime improvement, yet daytime ratings remain MS NOW’s persistent weakness. Network executives hope fresher talent deployments combined with Kutler’s broader programming overhaul can reverse downward trends before major political coverage demands peak viewership in autumn.
Sources
- NY Post – MS NOW elevates Alicia Menendez, moves Luke Russert to The Weeknight co-host role in major shakeup
- Deadline – Alicia Menendez and Stephanie Ruhle move to daytime as MS NOW overhauls lineup
- The Guardian – MS NOW makes first major programming moves since network name change
