*Joy Reid is expected to replace Chris Matthews as the host of a primetime news program on MSNBC.
Insiders tell The Wall Street Journal that the network is negotiating with Reid to fill the 7 p.m. slot, preceding shows hosted by Rachel Maddow and Chris Hayes.
Earlier this year, Matthews exited the “Hardball” news and opinion program that he hosted for 20 years. The retirement announcement came amid sexual misconduct accusations against him.
Since then, fans have been hoping Reid would be tapped to takeover his time slot.
She currently hosts MSNBC’s weekend morning show “AM Joy” and often substitutes for Maddow and Hayes.
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“MSNBC is expected to tap political analyst Joy Reid to anchor a 7 p.m. daily news and opinion program, people familiar with the matter said, filling the vacancy created at the cable news channel when Chris Matthews resigned abruptly,” @JBFlint reports https://t.co/EUUP3iGBE4
— Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) June 24, 2020
As noted by NewsOne, the 7 p.m. “Hardball” slot will be a challenging spot to fill.
“It comes straight after the evening news, when viewers want anchors to weigh in with their own thoughts and analysis — not just read the headlines, so it’s a tough gig,” a senior news TV source told Page Six.
The outlet also reports that Reid and the network are still discussing her new role and an agreement hasn’t been reached, according to a source.
In his last broadcast, Matthews said he was leaving his post to make way for “younger generations” who are “improving the workplace.”
“I want to start with my headline tonight: I’m retiring,” he told viewers.
“After a conversation with MSNBC, I decided tonight will be my last Hardball. So, let me tell you why,” he said. “The younger generations out there are ready to take the reins. We see them in politics, in the media, in fighting for their causes. They are improving the workplace.”
Matthews added, “Compliments on a woman’s appearance that some men, including me, might have once incorrectly thought were OK, were never OK. Not then and certainly not today, and, for making such comments in the past, I’m sorry.”
His announcement came after frequent guest of the network, GQ columnist Laura Bassett, alleged that Matthews made inappropriate remarks about her appearance.
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