Popular MSNBC election analyst Steve Kornacki to depart network

Steve Kornacki, MSNBC’s widely recognized data analyst known for his energetic breakdowns of polling and election results, will depart the left-leaning cable channel after signing a new agreement with NBC that will see him take on expanded roles across the network’s news and sports divisions.Kornacki, who rose to national prominence during the tense, drawn-out coverage of the 2020 presidential election, will be scaling back his presence on MSNBC as the network undergoes significant restructuring ahead of Comcast’s planned spinoff of its cable assets.Under the new agreement, Kornacki’s official title becomes contributor and chief data analyst for both NBC News and NBC Sports, an NBC spokesperson confirmed to Deadline.The news was initially reported by the Los Angeles Times.MSNBC announced on Tuesday that award-winning NBC News correspondent Antonia Hylton will be joining MSNBC full-time as a correspondent and co-host of “The Weekend: Primetime.”Since joining MSNBC in 2012, Kornacki has become a fixture during election cycles, particularly praised for his high-energy analysis of polling trends and voting patterns.His detailed breakdowns on air, often delivered with rolled-up sleeves and an infectious enthusiasm, made him a popular figure with viewers, earning him accolades including being named one of People magazine’s “Sexiest Men Alive” in 2020.This shift in Kornacki’s role occurs amid significant upheaval at MSNBC, which is preparing for life as an independent news channel following Comcast’s announcement earlier this year to spin off its cable properties into a separate entity.Earlier this year, MSNBC initiated a significant restructuring that led to widespread layoffs and program cancellations — most notably the axing of “The ReidOut,” which was hosted by Joy Reid.Reid’s departure was accompanied by the termination of most staff members associated with her program.Similarly, MSNBC management canceled “Alex Wagner Tonight” and rea...