MSNBC president Phil Griffin has gone ahead and made it official.  Syndicated talk radio host Ed Schultz is going to be joining the MSNBC network a unit of NBC Universal, full-time and he is going to be doing one hour program called "The Ed Show,” starting at 6:00 p.m. eastern time beginning this Monday.  Schultz has done 30 years of talk radio and has a syndicated show that airs his slant on politics and the news.  The Ed Schultz show replaces David Shuster's program on weekdays.

He clearly brings another progressive point of view to MSNBC which already features both Olbermann and Rachel Maddow.  Schultz is regarded by supporters and listeners as "avid voice for the middle class" with blue-state appeal.  Shuster will continue to work for MSNBC as a breaking news anchor from 3 to 5 p.m.  Mr. Schultz said his show would take a “hard-hitting approach to issues,” with a “folksy style when it’s called for.”  He will continue to host “The Ed Schultz Show,” his noon to 3 p.m. radio show, which is heard on more than 100 stations.

Recently, Schultz guest-hosted "1600 Pennsylvania Avenue," the MSNBC offering in the 6 p.m. time slot and that started rumors the radio host was being groomed for his own show in that slot.  Last year, the MSNBC network hired Rachel Maddow, an Air America radio host, to anchor the 9 p.m. hour.  The move turned out to be a ratings success as it immediately increased ratings in that time slot.

About The Author:
This article was written by Mark Soveign who owns and writes for Wertheim Communications LLC as well as Mooker.Com