Peter Alexander Joins MS NOW as National Senior Correspondent, to Anchor 11 a.m. Slot
According to CinemaDrame News Agency, Peter Alexander, a veteran journalist from NBC News, has joined MS NOW, marking the latest example of the network’s efforts—backed by Versant—to strengthen its presence in hard news alongside analytical and opinion-driven programming.
Alexander, who served as NBC News’ Senior White House Correspondent and simultaneously as a co-host of the “Saturday Today” program until Saturday, held extensive and challenging responsibilities. At MS NOW, he will anchor the 11 a.m. weekday segment, which became vacant during the network’s recent schedule reshuffle, and will also serve as national senior correspondent and breaking news anchor. In addition, he will contribute across other Versant properties, which include extensive sports programming on the USA Network and Golf Channel.
Rebecca Cutler, President of MS NOW, wrote in a memo to staff on Monday: “Peter has earned significant recognition over more than two decades for his professionalism, courageous reporting, and incisive questioning of presidents from both parties. He is one of the most respected and admired journalists among Washington reporters, and we are proud to welcome him to our newsroom.”
She added, “Whether behind the anchor desk or in the field, Peter is one of the few journalists who can effortlessly balance lifestyle topics, politics, and breaking news. He demonstrated this ability as a co-host of ‘Saturday Today,’ connecting with audiences on a human level while guiding White House coverage, playing a critical role throughout.”
In recent months, Alexander had been seeking a prominent role in anchoring, aware that opportunities at NBC News—including hosting programs such as “Today,” “NBC Nightly News,” and “Meet the Press”—would not be immediately available.
He is the latest NBC News journalist to join MS NOW. Others who have joined the network previously include Jacob Soboroff, Vaughn Hillyard, Brandy Zadrozny, David Rohde, Antonia Hylton, and Ken Dilanian. With Versant’s separation from NBCUniversal, MS NOW (formerly MSNBC) and CNBC revenues, which previously supported NBC News operations, ceased, and NBC News has recently made staff reductions.
Overall, Alexander has 15 years of White House coverage experience and has appeared on “Today” weekend programming since 2018. He gained attention for posing direct questions to Donald Trump that sometimes provoked strong reactions. For instance, during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, Alexander asked Trump, in his first presidential term, “What do you say to Americans watching you now who are concerned?” Trump responded sharply, saying, “I think you are a terrible reporter!”
Alexander began his career at NBC News in 2004, covering a wide range of events in the U.S. and globally. In 2012, he was responsible for covering the Republican primary contests and was appointed White House correspondent the same year. Between 2014 and 2016, he served as national correspondent, and then, alongside Kristen Welker, he was appointed co-senior White House correspondent. After Welker was promoted to host “Meet the Press,” Alexander continued as the network’s sole Senior White House Correspondent.
While MS NOW has recently assigned new two-hour daily programs to Stephanie Ruhle and Alicia Menendez, the network has a long history of one-hour shows covering Washington events. Andrea Mitchell, when the network was known as MSNBC, anchored such a program for nearly two decades.
