JUST IN: NewsNation Names Leland Vittert New Host of New Prime Time Slot

NewsNation

NewsNation has named Leland Vittert the host of its 9 p.m. hour after Mediaite founder Dan Abrams announced the end of his show on the cable news network.

NewsNation announced Wednesday that Vittert will move to the 9 p.m. hour on weeknights, while Elizabeth Vargas will move to 7 p.m., the timeslot where Vittert’s On Balance currently airs. NewsNation Now with Connell McShane will be extended to cover a three-hour swathe of programming (3 p.m. to 6 p.m.) The new lineup will go into effect on Feb. 10, the network said in a press release.

“I am grateful to NewsNation for the opportunity to host a primetime program, and thankful to our passionate viewers who tune in every night,” Vittert, who has been with the network since 2021, said in a statement. “As a team, we take our role in the media landscape seriously and will continue to be a source of fairness to all.”

Vittert’s show has seen a more-than 200% increase in total viewership since debuting in July 2021, we well as a three digit jump in the coveted 25-54 age demo, the network said. A source familiar said Federico Quadrani will continue to serve at Vittert’s executive producer.

Elizabeth Vargas Reports, meanwhile, delivered its top ratings ever last week. The first two weeks of 2025 have marked a more than 50% increase in total viewers since her debut in April 2023.

“I couldn’t be happier to be staying at NewsNation, and to be moving to the 7 pm hour weeknights,” she said. “I’m excited to continue our mission to report the news for ALL Americans. I have an amazing team and am thrilled to be working with them.”

NewsNation has been touting some promising ratings growth in recent weeks: on several occasions in the last month, it has surpassed MSNBC in the advertiser-coveted 25-54 age demographic in certain weekend hours.

Abrams announced an end to his NewsNation show last month. He said he is leaving the show behind to focus on his other media ventures, which include hosting a SiriusXM show, hosting On Patrol: Live, as well as being the CEO of not just Mediaite, but Law&Crime.

“With the help of an amazing production team, I’m incredibly proud of the show we have done day in and day out,” he said. “Three years after this really unexpected opportunity, I’ve reached the point where it’s impossible to keep devoting the time needed for this show while also running and growing my other businesses.”

Abrams told Mediaite editor Aidan McLaughlin on Press Club that ending his show simply came down to time constraints.

“Hosting a cable news show is a lot of work,” he said. “You don’t just show up and read the teleprompter.”

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