Steve Kornacki, the beloved data wizard known for making election nights must-see TV, is officially leaving MSNBC—but he’s not going far. He’s staying in the family as NBC News’ chief data analyst, marking the first high-profile departure from MSNBC as the cable network begins to untangle itself from NBC under a sweeping corporate restructuring.
Kornacki, 44, is famous for turning complex data into compelling TV during elections, often armed with nothing but a touchscreen and a pair of khakis. With his new gig, he’ll continue lending his data expertise to NBC’s news coverage as well as its sports broadcasts, from Sunday Night Football to the Olympics and even the Kentucky Derby.
His presence has already been felt across NBC’s platforms. He’s a regular on Meet the Press, and his surprise appearances on Football Night in America turned him into a sports-world favorite. NBC is doubling down on that crossover appeal as Kornacki moves into a broader role—one that reportedly allows him to take on additional outside opportunities, as long as they don’t involve politics or sports.
Kornacki joined MSNBC in 2012 as a co-host of The Cycle and quickly became a breakout star. But it was the 2020 election that turned him into a household name. His boundless energy and deep dives into polling data won over viewers—and even landed him on People’s “Sexiest Men Alive” list. Celebrities like Leslie Jones fanned the flames of “Kornacki-mania,” and MSNBC leaned into it hard during the 2024 cycle with a dedicated “Kornacki Cam” streaming live between commercial breaks.
His exit comes amid major changes. Comcast is spinning off its cable networks into a new company called SpinCo, effectively splitting MSNBC from NBC News. The move has thrown the futures of several dual-network talents into question, including Today and Morning Joe host Willie Geist.
At the same time, MSNBC is shoring up its own talent base. Reporter Antonia Hylton, who had roles at both MSNBC and NBC News, is joining MSNBC full time as co-host of its new weekend panel show, The Weekend: Primetime.
Discover more from
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.