Michael Smerconish Joins CNN; Will Host Weekend Show

CNN announced Monday morning that radio host Michael Smerconish will join the network to host a live show on Saturday mornings from New York.

Smerconish, who hosts an eponymous radio show on SiriusXM, will also be a regular contributor to other CNN programming throughout the week. Prior to this gig, he was an MSNBC contributor and frequent guest-host on Hardball with Chris Matthews, occasionally steering that show to the top of the time-slot’s demo ratings.

“We are thrilled to have Michael join CNN,” network chief Jeff Zucker said. “At a time when the cable news landscape has become increasingly polarized, his independence and passion for reasoned dialogue makes him the perfect fit for CNN.”

Smerconish said: “I’ve long wanted to host a program of my own and I’m appreciative of Jeff Zucker for making that dream a reality. I think the type of content I seek to provide is perfectly suited for CNN’s non-ideological brand.”

According to CNN, Smerconish will continue hosting his radio show as well as writing a weekly column for the Philadelphia Inquirer.

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