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MSNBC pulls 'Ronan Farrow', 'Reid Report'

In a bid to stem cataclysmic ratings declines and waning relevance, MSNBC has cancelled the daytime shows "Ronan Farrow Daily" and "The Reid Report."

In their place, MSNBC will bring in Thomas Roberts to anchor a new daily two-hour block of news programming from 1-3 pm, a network spokesperson told the On Media blog. Roberts will stop anchoring Way Too Early, the 5:30-a.m. show that precedes Morning Joe.

Ronan Farrow will launch a new series of primetime specials, featuring in-depth interviews, and will continue to be a special correspondent across programming. He will also continue his partnership with the NBC News Investigative Unit.

Joy Ann Reid, the host of Reid Report, will become MSNBC’s national correspondent across platforms, a regular contributor for MSNBC’s primetime shows, and the first dedicated reporter for NowThisNews, an MSNBC online partner.

In a statment, and MSNBC spokesperson said the move was part of MSNBC's plan to make dayside programming exclusively "news-focused." The daytime schedule also features "The Daily Rundown" and "Andrea Mitchell Reports."

Earlier this month, MSNBC registered its lowest full-day rating in nearly a decade, drawing an average of 55,000 viewers in the all-important 25- to 54-year-old demo. In January, MSNBC's daytime ratings for January were down 20 percent in total and 37 percent in the demo when compared to the previous year. In prime time, total viewership was down 23 percent, while the demo dropped by 39 percent.

MSNBC President Phil Griffin says he has been "experimenting" with new ways to regain momentum, spawning widespread speculation that he planned to make significant changes to the lineup.

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