MSNBC hires Ed Schultz for 6 p.m. slot

The official announcement of the hiring of the liberal talk radio host will be made on Keith Olbermann's show Wednesday night.

Published April 1, 2009 11:45PM (EDT)

Salon has learned that MSNBC has hired liberal radio host Ed Schultz, who calls himself the "most listened-to progressive radio talk show host in America," to anchor its 6 p.m. slot. The move will be officially revealed towards the end of Keith Olbermann's broadcast on Wednesday night, according to a source familiar with the announcement.

Speculation about Schultz joining the cable network had increased lately, and the New York Observer's Felix Gillette reported last month that an offer had been extended. Initial rumors had the host being considered for the 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. hours, but MSNBC recently decided to stick with Olbermann reruns at 10.

The 6 p.m. slot is currently occupied by "1600 Pennsylvania Avenue," which is hosted by David Shuster. Schultz has filled in for him on more than one occasion. No details about what, if anything, Shuster would be doing next for MSNBC were immediately available.


By Alex Koppelman

Alex Koppelman is a staff writer for Salon.

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