‘Morning Joe’ hosts Scarborough, Brzezinski ink deal to remain at MS NOW through 2029

Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski, two of the biggest stars at MS NOW, have signed a new contract to remain with the network.

The new deal, announced March 25, 2026, and first reported by Axios, will keep the pair with the Versant-owned network until 2029.

That timeframe would notably extend past the November 2028 presidential election, meaning the pair will helm “Morning Joe” during both the 2026 midterm and 2028 contests. 

Ruhle, Velshi, Russert among anchors tapped in MS NOW’s programming overhaul

News of the renewal comes on the heels of the March 18, 2026, announcement that “Morning Joe” would shrink to three hours from its current four-hour block in June 2026, as part of a broader schedule and host shakeup.

Reports have indicated that Scarborough and Brzezinski were looking to reduce their workload, though it is not clear if the reduced airtime was a sticking point in hammering out the new deal.

Scarborough joined what was then known as MSNBC back in 2003, originally hosting “Scarborough Country.” In 2007, he moved into the morning slot vacated by the network’s video simulcast of “Imus in the Morning.” 

“Morning Joe” will mark its 20th anniversary in 2027.

Brzezinski has had to stints at MSNBC. The first was short run in 2001 hosting the afternoon program “HomePage.” After that show as canceled, she worked at CBS News until 2007, when she returned to MSNBC. 

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She initially anchored news updates for the network but then switched to co-host and news reader on “Morning Joe” when it launched.

In 2018 Brzezinski and Scarborough married. The show regularly broadcasts from a permanent studio installed in the couple’s Florida home, which was built as part of a previous contract stipulation.

This was done to help accommodate the pair’s personal lives and Scarborough’s desire to be a Florida resident for tax purposes. Because of this, he must spend a minimum number of days in the Sunshine State each year. 

Some editions of “Morning Joe” do originate from MS NOW’s studios in New York. Editions can also be split-hosted with one of the hosts in New York or Florida and the other in another location, which is sometimes dictated by their travel schedules.