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Griffin Named President of MSNBC

Jul 16, 2008  •  Post A Comment

Phil Griffin, who has been the executive in charge of MSNBC since 2006, has been named president of the cable channel owned by NBC Universal.
Mr. Griffin also will oversee NBC News Specials coverage, including politics, but will give up his duties as executive in charge of “Today,” a role he has had since 2005. An announcement on what NBC News plans to do with the latter position is said to be several days away.
Mr. Griffin, who was aboard when MSNBC launched in 1996, produced such signature shows as “Hardball With Chris Matthews” from 1999 to 2004 and “The Big Show With Keith Olbermann” in 1997-98. But it is only since he assumed oversight for the cable channel’s operations and edgier political programming that MSNBC’s ratings have taken off and produced consistent growth, tightening the cable news race in prime time and sometimes giving the channel second place in key hours in the target 25-54 demographic. Prime-time ratings were up 54% year-to-year in the first half of this year.
“I can think of no better person at no better time to fully take the reins at MSNBC than Phil,” NBC News President Steve Capus, to whom Mr. Griffin will report, said in Wednesday’s announcement. “The team at MSNBC has accomplished an extraordinary feat in the past 12 months—and Phil was the guiding hand in all of it. As MSNBC is poised to reach new levels, it’s time for him to be able to direct his full-time attention to one of the most important assets we have at NBC News. I want to congratulate him on this promotion—it’s incredibly well-deserved.”
“I’ve been there from the beginning, so I couldn’t be happier to get this position,” Mr. Griffin said. “It’s a really exciting time at MSNBC and everyone—on the air and behind the scenes—has pulled together to help create the success we’ve had this year. We’ve really found our voice as ‘The Place for Politics.’ I really believe this is our time.”
Phil Alongi will remain as executive producer of NBC News Specials, including political coverage, reporting to Mr. Griffin. In that capacity, Alongi also oversees all of NBC News’ political coverage.
Mr. Griffin joined NBC News in 1983 as a writer and producer for “Today.”

One Comment

  1. I’m extremely disappointed with your cable “news” station. Contrary to popular opinion, I find your station extremely conservative–exception Keith and hopefully Rachel will maintain her integrity. As for Brockaw, he’s pathetic and absolutely in the tank for McCain. He should have never been allowed to “touch” Tim’s chair much less “sit in it.
    I find HIM, arrogant, elitist and downright boring. Your station, along with Fox are the two most santized networks in broadcasting.

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