Andrea Mitchell Departs Daily MSNBC Show; Will continue to report as a correspondent for NBCU platforms

On By Littum

Andrea Mitchell said she will leave her daily MSNBC show after the inauguration but will continue as NBC News’ chief foreign correspondent and chief Washington correspondent reporting for NBCU platforms.

On MSNBCs Andrea Mitchell reports today, she told viewers: “And after sixteen years of being in the anchor chair every day, I want to have time to do more of what I love most: more connecting, listening and reporting in the field, especially as who becomes elected next week must take on the monumental task of dealing with two foreign wars and the political divisions at home.

“So after the inauguration next January — I’ve asked for the opportunity to continue covering these stories, but from a different point of view — still with NBC News and on MSNBC, and still as the Washington chief and foreign correspondent. Just not on the schedule of a daily show.”

Her MSNBC show has been the longest-running in the network’s daytime lineup, having launched in 2008. The network has not said what will replace it.

Mitchell has covered every presidential campaign for NBC News since 1980 and every national political convention since 1972, as well as seven presidential administrations. She joined the network in 1978.

Mitchell said that “come next year, you’ll still see me in your living rooms, on your mobile devices and on other platforms — and maybe in your hometowns and cities too, still asking the questions to get the answers you deserve.”

In a note to employees, NBCU executives Rashida Jones, Rebecca Blumenstein, Janelle Rodriguez and Libby Leist wrote: “Andrea remains one of the nation’s leading and most trusted experts on foreign and domestic policy. Her deep sourcing and ability to land the largest newsmaking interviews is second to none. Her contributions to NBC News over the past 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.”

In the third quarter Andrea Mitchell reports averaged 753,000 viewers, behind Fox News’ Outnumbered in total viewers, but ahead of CNN Inside politicsaccording to Nielsen.