Cable news outlet to hire 100 journalists as it splits from TV network

Scott Matthews, a veteran of CNBC and WABC’s local-news operations, among other venues, has been named senior vice president of newsgathering for MSNBC, spotlighting the progressive-news outlet’s plans as it faces a separation from NBC News in a looming spin-off of the company’s cable assets into a new company.

Matthews, who is expected to start his new role on March 17, will build a new editorial and production operation for MSNBC, including an assignment desk and a team of producers and correspondents.

He will coordinate daily and breaking news coverage, set editorial priorities, and ensure efficient deployment of resources. MSNBC will be looking to hire more than 100 journalists, including field producers, correspondents, photographers, and more.

“Scott’s new role reflects our plans to build out MSNBC’s domestic, Washington and international newsgathering operations and expand our presence in the field,” said Rebecca Kutler, MSNBC’s new president, in a memo to staffers.

The executive will “manage the day-to-day reporting needs of a newly created assignment desk, coordinate daily and breaking news coverage, and set editorial priorities for the network.”

MSNBC is grappling not only with its liberal positioning at a time when conservatism is on the rise, but also a challenging operating environment for cable.

Subscribers are moving to streaming venues and cutting loose their ties to linear TV operations. MSNBC will along with other NBCU cable networks like CNBC and E! be spun off into a new publicly traded entity sometime in 2025, which will force the outlet to stand up more of its own news operations, rather than relying on those of NBC News.

Matthews had worked for Disney’s WABC in New York, where he was vice president and news director. He directed news operations, oversaw streaming and digital products, and coordinated special coverage with partners at ABC News.

Between 2011 and 2019, he worked at CNBC as vice president of news specials where he led special programming, including breaking news and special events, across all day parts and on CNBC’s digital platforms. He also led CNBC’s Investigative Unit and developed documentaries and primetime shows, including the creation of the CNBC series “Secret Lives of the Super Rich.” He has also led work at CNN, WNYW and WWOR, and WTXF and WFXT.