Ex-MSNBC Host Mehdi Hasan Launching His Own Media Company to Fill Progressive ‘Gap in the Market’

Former MSNBC host Mehdi Hasan is launching his own digital media company that he’s hoping will fill a “gap in the market.”

“No one really on the progressive left has been able to pull off anything similar,” Hasan told The Washington Post’s Jeremy Barr about the venture.

He added later that there is a “craving” and “gap in the market” he intends to fill.

“I believe there is a craving for media organizations that don’t shy away from saying the truth, even if it’s uncomfortable, even if it bothers people, even if it hinders access, even if it shakes the apple cart,” he said. “From a purely business perspective, there is a gap in the market.”

A number of conservative pundits have departed network gigs only to launch their own subscription-based services, the latest being former Fox News host Tucker Carlson. Hasan did separate his venture from Carlson’s, saying his network would be less solely focused on his personality and voice than the Tucker Carlson Network is in Tucker Carlson.

“This is not ‘the Mehdi Hasan network’ like the Tucker Carlson Network,” he said.

Hasan will also be appearing on NewsNation’s Cuomo on Friday 8 p.m. EST to further discuss his new media venture.

Folks can sign up for updates from the company, called Zeteo, which will cost $6 a month and include a weekly series from Hasan. There will also be other contributors, written content, podcasts, etc., involved in the $4 million start-up. The service will begin a slow rollout this week but officially launch in April through Substack.

MSNBC announced Hasan’s Sunday show had been canceled as part of a larger shakeup in its lineup. After officially leaving the network, Hasan joined The Guardian as a contributor.