Observed Signal · Feb 20, 2026 · Partnership · Source: Adweek · Impact: 2/5 · Sentiment: Neutral
MS NOW Teams Up with Crooked Media for New Show
MS NOW and Crooked Media have agreed a programming deal to add a weekly show, Crooked on MS NOW, to the network’s Saturday night lineup beginning Feb. 28 at 9 p.m. ET, airing Crooked Media’s portfolio of podcasts. Separately, Fox News is launching a twice-weekly podcast, Hang Out with Sean Hannity, on Fox News Media on March 3. CBS will feature Norah O’Donnell as a guest host on CBS Mornings Feb. 23–25 to promote her book. Paramount Skydance is consolidating New York offices and relocating several CBS properties (including 60 Minutes) to the CBS Broadcast Center. Fox Nation is now available to U.S. customers via Amazon Prime Video with monthly and annual subscription options.
Distribution and programming deals expand audio-to-TV and OTT distribution—relevant to content monetization and audience reach—but are routine commercial developments rather than industry-shifting platform or policy changes.
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Key Takeaways & Evidence Grounding
- MS NOW and Crooked Media signed a programming deal to launch 'Crooked on MS NOW' beginning Feb. 28 at 9 p.m. ET, airing weekly on Saturday nights.
- Crooked on MS NOW will feature Crooked Media podcasts including Pod Save America; Pod Save the World; Strict Scrutiny; Lovett or Leave It; Runaway Country with Alex Wagner; Hysteria; Assembly Required with Stacey Abrams; Offline with Jon Favreau; and What A Day.
- Fox News is launching the twice-weekly podcast 'Hang Out with Sean Hannity' on Fox News Media, premiering March 3.
- Fox Nation is now available on Amazon Prime Video for U.S. customers at $8.99 per month or $71.88 annually, with a bundle offer including Fox One for $24.99.
- Paramount Skydance is consolidating New York City office space and relocating CBS properties—60 Minutes staff will move to the CBS Broadcast Center; CBS Sports and Inside Edition are also being relocated.
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Recent verified developments and strategic activity across this market segment.
MS NOW Cancels Weekend Primetime, Alters Schedule
MS NOW is canceling its evening news program The Weekend: Primetime and replacing weekend-night live programming with taped episodes and reruns of video podcasts, including a Crooked Media block. Beginning Sunday, June 28 at 6 p.m. ET, the network will air Crooked Media shows (Pod Save America, Pod Save the World, Strict Scrutiny, Lovett or Leave It, Runaway Country with Alex Wagner, Hysteria, Assembly Required with Stacey Abrams, Offline with Jon Favreau, What A Day) alongside MS NOW’s own video podcasts (The Best People with Nicolle Wallace, Why Is This Happening with Chris Hayes). MS NOW president Rebecca Kutler said the Crooked block has driven new viewers and acknowledged jobs will be affected, though staffing will remain for breaking news. The Weekend: Primetime — launched in May 2025 — will see its co-hosts remain at the network, and veteran anchor Alex Witt will depart sometime this summer after more than 25 years.
MS NOW Launches Paid Membership Subscription
MS NOW unveiled a direct-to-consumer Membership product, launching Sept. 9 with monthly and annual pricing and introductory discounts, offering members access to exclusive community features, contributor content, verticals, and 24/7 live streams. The Adweek ticker also reports programming additions at ABC News Live, a wrongful-termination lawsuit filed by Samira Said alleging misconduct by Matt Gutman, contract renewals at CNN including Abby Phillip, and several newsroom hires: Felicia Schwartz (MS NOW), Cory Schouten (CNBC), and Ariel Levy joining 60 Minutes as a contributor.
MS NOW Restructures Weekend Lineup, Shifts to Taped Content
MS NOW announced a major restructuring of its weekend schedule in late June 2026, reducing live evening programming and expanding pre-recorded video-podcast airings and third-party partnerships. The live “The Weekend: Primetime” block will end with its final broadcast on June 27, 2026; weekend evenings after 6 p.m. ET will move primarily to taped content. The network—now operating under the Versant banner after a 2025 split from NBC News and Comcast—is strengthening breaking-news capabilities (standby anchors, a producer-led interruption team, and an international content-sharing arrangement with Sky News) while preserving about 20 hours of live weekend programming. Longtime anchor Alex Witt will depart later in 2026 and correspondent Antonia Hylton will take over the 1–4 p.m. weekend slot. The reorganization includes a staff reduction affecting under 2% of employees and a planned direct-to-consumer streaming launch later in 2026.
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