MSNBC's Ed Schultz Moving to Weekends

8 p.m. host to shift to 5-7 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays starting in April

By Andrea Morabito -- Broadcasting & Cable, 3/14/2013 12:38:13 AM

MSNBC's The Ed Show is moving to weekend evenings starting in April, the host announced on his program Wednesday.

Schultz's show will now air from 5-7 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays as MSNBC expands its live weekend programming. His final 8 p.m. broadcast will be Thursday night.

On the show, Schultz says the decision to change timeslots was his own. "I'm very proud of the work our team has done here at 8 PM, but sitting behind this desk five nights a week doesn't cut it for me," he said. "I want to get out with the people and tell their stories. This show has been a show that has been a voice for the voiceless. That really was my mission when I came here and it remains."

"I'm thrilled for Ed and happy to be expanding our weekend programming," said MSNBC president Phil Griffin. "It's an exciting time for MSNBC and I'm looking forward to having Ed's powerful voice on our network for a long time."

A new 8 p.m. host is expected to be announced at NBC News Group's upfront in New York on Thursday.