In a significant turn of events for MSNBC viewers, beloved data analyst Steve Kornacki has officially signed a new contract with NBC, marking a pivotal shift in his career. This new agreement expands Kornacki’s role across NBC’s news and sports divisions, but notably excludes any involvement with MSNBC. The changes come as MSNBC undergoes a major transformation, spinning off into a new corporate entity under Comcast, leading to the separation of operations between MSNBC and NBC News.
As part of his new deal, Kornacki, who is 45 years old, will serve as NBC’s chief data analyst and continue to be the network's go-to expert for statistical analysis of polls and election results. He will also play a crucial role during major sporting events such as the Triple Crown horse racing, the Olympics, and the NFL. Kornacki will be featured on various platforms, including the streaming channel NBC News Now and the broadcast franchises “Meet the Press,” “Today,” and “NBC Nightly News.” This strategic move was confirmed by a representative from NBC News on Tuesday, though MSNBC opted not to comment on Kornacki’s departure.
With Kornacki's exit, MSNBC is actively preparing for its split from NBC News by hiring over 100 journalists to bolster its newsgathering unit. The network is already in the process of finding a suitable replacement for Kornacki, who has been a cornerstone of their political coverage. In a related development, MSNBC announced that correspondent Antonia Hylton will join the cable network full-time, co-hosting “The Weekend: Primetime” alongside notable figures such as Ayman Mohyeldin and political analyst Elise Jordan.
Kornacki’s new position as an NBC contributor allows him the flexibility to explore various projects across different media platforms, provided they do not pertain to politics or sports. In 2022, he filmed a game show pilot, showcasing his enthusiasm for the genre, which suggests he may pursue hosting opportunities in the future. Kornacki’s departure marks a significant loss for MSNBC, as he becomes the second prominent on-air talent to leave since the spin-off was announced, following the recent firing of longtime host Joy Reid.
Steve Kornacki’s deep dives into polling data and election results have been integral to MSNBC’s political coverage, especially during the tumultuous 2020 presidential election. His marathon sessions in front of the touchscreen electoral college map captivated audiences as it took four days to decisively call the election for Joe Biden. Kornacki’s engaging style and trademark khaki pants have garnered him a substantial following on social media, including endorsements from celebrities like Chrissy Teigen and Leslie Jones. In 2020, he was even recognized by People magazine as one of the Sexiest Men Alive.
Kornacki's journey in the media began with political writing, which eventually led to contributor roles at CNN. He joined MSNBC in 2012 as a co-host of “The Cycle” and later became a staple in the network's afternoon and weekend lineup. Following his rise to fame during the 2020 election, NBC broadened his responsibilities to include sports analysis in 2021. Kornacki made headlines as a horse racing analyst by accurately picking the 12-1 winner of the Kentucky Derby, and he has regularly contributed to NBC’s “Football Night In America” and Olympic coverage.
As Kornacki embarks on this new chapter with NBC, his departure from MSNBC signals a shift in the landscape of political and sports analysis on cable news, leaving fans eager to see what the future holds for this talented data guru.
