Peter Alexander carries his years of experience at NBC News over to MS NOW, where he lands next week.
The veteran Washington correspondent and weekend “Today” host will launch a new 11 a.m. program on the Versant-backed network starting Monday, August 10. “State of Play” is billed as focusing on “authoritative and original reporting, thoughtful conversations, and in-depth analysis of the biggest political and national stories shaping the day,” according to a memo from Greg Kordick, the network’s senior vice president of programming.
Alexander left his post at NBC News in March. In his new role at MS NOW, he will also serve as a breaking-news anchor and national correspondent, and contribute to some of the sports coverage broadcast by Versant’s other properties, which include Golf Channel and the USA cable network.
“The launch of ‘State of Play’ strengthens our programming at a pivotal moment in the country and further positions MS NOW at the center of the 2028 election cycle,” Kordick said. “With the midterm elections quickly approaching and the race for the White House beginning to take shape the day after, we are well-positioned to play a leading role in covering the stories, issues, and campaigns that will define the years ahead.”
MS NOW recently overhauled its daytime schedule, leaving an hour open in anticipation of Alexander’s expected arrival. The network has a long history of offering a one-hour program tied to events in Washington, D.C. Andrea Mitchell hosted such a show for nearly two decades when the network was called MSNBC. Alexander will follow Stephanie Ruhle and then hand off to Alicia Menendez and, later, Katy Tur.
Alexander logged 15 years on the White House beat and worked “Today” weekends since 2018. During that time, he has gained notice for asking reasonable questions of President Trump that for some reason spark blowback. During 2020’s coronavirus pandemic, for example, Alexander asked Trump, then in his first term in the Oval Office, “What do you say to Americans who are watching you right now who are scared?” Trump lashed out. “I say that you’re a terrible reporter!” he retorted.
Alexander initially joined NBC News in 2004, covering a range of stories around the globe and in the U.S. He was assigned to cover the Republican presidential race in 2012 before being named a White House correspondent that year. He served a stint as a national correspondent between 2014 and 2016, and then was named co-chief White House correspondent alongside Kristen Welker. He kept those duties when he was named co-anchor of Saturday “Today” and became the network’s sole chief White House correspondent when Welker was elevated to moderator of “Meet the Press.”