Rashida Jones steps down as MSNBC President, Rebecca Kutler named interim head

Rashida Jones, the first Black president of a major television news network, is stepping down as MSNBC president, with Rebecca Kutler named interim network head. The leadership change comes as Comcast prepares to spin off MSNBC and other cable channels into a separate publicly traded company.

Mark Lazarus, the incoming CEO of the spinoff, praised Jones for steering MSNBC through a “years-long, unrelenting and unprecedented news cycle,” driving record viewership, and expanding the network’s digital presence.

Rebecca Kutler, who joined MSNBC in 2022 after two decades at CNN, has been a key force in growing the network’s digital, social, and audio platforms. Her promotion last week to oversee all daytime programming, in addition to podcasts, films, and digital content, signals her pivotal role in shaping the network's future.

During a staff call, Lazarus confirmed MSNBC would retain its name post-spinoff and said Kutler will focus on building a leadership team, including hiring heads of newsgathering and talent.

Jones, who took over four years ago, reflected on her tenure in an internal memo, expressing confidence in the network’s future but not disclosing her next steps.

The leadership change raises questions about MSNBC’s political coverage approach under President-elect Donald Trump and its iconic Rockefeller Center location after the spinoff. However, Lazarus assured staff that MSNBC remains committed to its brand and mission as it transitions into a new chapter.