Veteran political journalist Andrea Mitchell announced that she will exit her namesake MSNBC show after the inauguration, but will remain as a correspondent at NBC News.
Mitchell, who occupied the anchor chair at the left-leaning network for nearly two decades, will continue in her role as NBC News’ chief foreign affairs correspondent and chief Washington corespondent.
The anchor– who turns 78 on Wednesday — broke the news to viewers on MSNBC’s “Andrea Mitchell Reports” Tuesday.
“And after sixteen years of being in the anchor chair every day, I want time to do more of what I love the most: more connecting, listening and reporting in the field,” Mitchell said. “Especially as whoever is elected next week is going to undertake the monumental task of handling two foreign wars and the political divisions here at home.”
She continued: “So, after the inaugural next January – I’ve asked for the opportunity to continue covering those stories, but from a different vantage point – still with NBC News and at MSNBC, and still as chief Washington and foreign affairs correspondent. Just not on the schedule of a daily show.”
Launched in 2008, Mitchell’s MSNBC show has been the longest running in the network’s daytime lineup. The network has not announced what will replace the show.
In the third quarter, “Andrea Mitchell Reports” averaged 753,000 viewers, behind Fox News’ “Outnumbered” in total viewers but ahead of CNN “Inside Politics,” according to Nielsen.
The move comes as TV networks are streamlining their anchor lineups and salaries for talent amid shrinking budgets.
At CBS News, Norah O’Donnell will step down from the anchor chair at “The Evening News” after the election and move to the role of correspondent. Meanwhile at CNN, Jake Tapper and Wolf Blitzer were reportedly denied raises, while Chris Wallace was asked to take a pay cut.
Media insiders told The Post that more shakeups are expected post-election.
Mitchell, who joined the Peacock network in 1978, has covered every presidential campaign for NBC News since 1980. According to Deadline, she has also covered every poltical convention since 1972, as well as seven presidential administrations.
The journalist told viewers “come next year, you’ll still see me in your living rooms, on your mobile devices and on other platforms – and perhaps also in your hometowns and cities, still asking the questions to get the answers you deserve.”
In a note to staffers, NBCUniversal execs Rashida Jones, Rebecca Blumenstein, Janelle Rodriguez and Libby Leist wrote: “Andrea remains one of the country’s foremost and most trusted experts on foreign policy and domestic politics. Her deep sourcing and ability to land the biggest-name news-making interviews are unmatched. Her contributions to NBC News over the last 46 years have been invaluable to the network, and we are so pleased that she will remain an essential part of the News Group for years to come.”
