MSNBC Goes HD, Launches Dylan Ratigan, Dr. Nancy Snyderman Shows

It's a big day for MSNBC, with the network launching its high definition broadcast signal, unveiling a new daytime lineup (including two new shows), and debuting a new set of on-screen graphics.

Network President Phil Griffin spoke about the shift to HD with Broadcasting & Cable:

"I love our anchors and our people being looked at in hi-def. But this is about being in the neighborhood. You get your regular core audience to tune in, but a good chunk of our [total] audience is people who are flipping around....

"I think you've got to be [in HD] now," Griffin points out. "And I think in a year or two it will definitely make a huge difference. If you want to be competitive in this game, it's the price of entry."

B&C further reports that the HD rollout will be gradual based on service providers:

MSNBC in HD will launch at different times on different MSOs. It will debut on Cablevision on June 29 and on Time Warner in July. By the end of August, MSNBC HD will be available in 11 million homes.

Along with the addition of an HD signal, MSNBC has shaken up its dayside lineup, adding "Morning Meeting" with Dylan Ratigan from 9AM-11AM and "Dr. Nancy" at noon. Carlos Watson will anchor the 11AM hour, Andrea Mitchell will continue at 1PM, and David Shuster and Tamron Hall will co-anchor from 3PM-5PM. There are no explicit plans for the 2PM hour.

"It's the right time," Snyderman told the Daily News about her health show, which premieres with Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, Elizabeth Edwards and FDA Commissioner Peggy Hamburg as guests.

Snyderman elaborated on her plans for the show to the Daily News' Richard Huff:

Her show, she said, will be different than others because she has the resources of NBC News and the ability to quickly jump on a story that breaks that day.

"There really isn't going to be anything taped," she said.

"We're raising the bar," Snyderman said. "This is going to be very smart programming. If I don't think something's true, it's not getting on."

She's also realizes she must make medical mumbo-jumbo palatable for the everyman. "That's the burden for me," she said, "to take complicated and dry medical information and make it compelling."

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Comments

[tnlcallen]

That's good news, although I'm afraid to see Olbermann and Matthews in HD, and Andrea Mitchell is probably going to look like the crypt keeper.

[Lalita Amos]

Given MSNBC's stance as the network of the middle left, I'm not sure how they can square all of the male-dominated programming they offer. After Morning Joe, at lease there was Contessa, Norah and Tamryn (my girl) to tide us over until Rachael Maddow.

What are they thinking?

[JZ735]

Hey, Obama treats women with as much attention.

[Zammie]

I just tuned in to see Dylan Ratigan's show for the first time, and I was so irritated that I had to turn it off, despite the interesting subject matter. He talks way too much and constantly interrupts his guests to offer his own opinions. He had Nate Silver, one of my favorites, on his panel, and I was looking forward to hearing what Nate had to say, but he couldn't get a word in. Someone should explain to Ratigan the difference between being a host who values his guests' opinions and treats them with respect vs. hosting a one-man show. I think that there is potential for a good show here, but he really has to be contained if he wants this to succeed.

[Lalita Amos]

I'm with you, Zammie. I had the show on in my office this morning and it was very irritating. He had a panel that included Matt Taibbi, who was going to talk about the continuing fallout from the Goldman Sachs debacle. Poor Matt. Dylan wouldn't shut up.

It's pretty early i the game and I'm hoping that how show (oh, and Carlos' show right afterwards) gets better.

Fast.

[magnetplanner]

Retreads rarely work out. There's a reason he was canned at CNBC. He's obnoxious.

[dazed]

Ratigan needs to lay off the coke.

[nana4g]

I have never, as an RN, thought Snyderman was very good at public health education and commentary. Her delivery is off, also, as she looks at and speaks to whomever is sitting there with her instead of to the public. Her voice is grating and I just do not like her, do not find her informative or even very accurate at times; takes her too long to cipher down the facts to the level of public consumption.

This Ratigan guy is very irritating. He screams and is artificial. I have switched the channel for the first time in over a year to see what was going on at CNN and if that is dull, I watch a movie or listen to my CDs which I have neglected for too long now.

[lynettema]

Disagree. I have always liked her and found her information to be reliable. Isn't that what it's really about. Reliability. Facts.

[jenny42]

I do not want to watch these two and it looks like it is CNN in the morning for me. See ya MSNBC!

[water57]

Ratigan always come across as angry. Snyderman was easy fluster.

[noaxe397]

Please bring back Norah, Monica and lushous Contessa, the three hottest brunettes on television.

[Mij13]

Dylan is pretty hot, if you ask me.

[Candace8383]

if you like stupid

[jimrs6]

Just because they now offer an HD signal doesn't mean that carriers are going to take it. They can barely justify the bandwidth need for the SD signal. Don't rush out yet to buy that flat screen to see Andrea Mitchell in glorious HD.

[imwiseowl]

I don't understand what MSNBC big wigs are thinking.

I don't watch until David & Tamron and then on.

Can't stomach Joe & Mika. They both always comment about the blogs not liking them, if they would only realize .......We don't!!!!!!

They decided to give shows to Dylan, Dr. Nancy & Carlos....­....all who have been on Morning Joe almost as regulars. Dylan "money party" or "party money" or whatever it is that Mika calls him ....... definitely has the hots for him ...... all excited whenever he was on. After being let go from CNBC, all Dylan has done is rant against President Obama cause he KNOWS IT ALL and sucks up to Joe. Dr. Nancy had nothing good to say about the President's Health Care so she must be a repug and Carlos I know is one because he has said he wishes Jed Bush would be one of the leaders of the party and has praised Liz Chaney and asked her if she had any thoughts of running for an office....­..of anything.

What I don't understand is why all the repugs? Oh lets not forget Meet the Press D. Gregory who sucks too!

Why didn't they go with Lawrence O'Donnell ...... Contessa ........ or even Nora ..... I could overlook her quackle.

[jonjon66]

Agreed especially Dylan and Dr. Nancy !

I'm not mad at Carlos , he has a brain.

[Nicotone]

That's what I think every time I see them add a new show, who passed over Lawrence O'Donnell? He's smart, articulate and tough. The Ed Show? It's ridiculous, as is Ed.

[michiganman2]

norah got snubbed

the carlos watson hour?

lmao

[Shayrae]

Well, I like Ed, but I wish MSNBC hadn't passed over Lawrence o'Donnell and my favorite, Norah O'Donnell. Their daily lineup has just gone downhill.

[lynettema]

Maybe Lawrence isn't interested.

[Candace8383]

hey MSNBC in the past i had your channel on all day as i did whatever i needed to in the house now by 6:30 am i change the channel .... i never watch you during the day anymore

hint
stupid right wing liars do not balance out thoughtful intelligent left wing hosts

[Progressivedude]

I agree with your assessment "imwiseowl" MSNBC basically sucks until Tamron & David and the rest of the evening shows come on! I am disappointed that they would allow them characters on with their on shows. I agree with letting Lawrence O' Donnell have his own show!

[GeorgeP922]

Ok the new shows, FAIL.

The new Graphics, FAIL.

I know change has to happen every 18-24 months, but I loved the election graphics, and the graphics of the network and shows were great the last 2 years.

This new stuff looks like they are trying to look like Windows or something.

The high def has hit us yet, but I hope MSNBC knows that white bars like the one at the top of screen use the most phosphors in a plasma screen (meaning more electricity, more wear)

Unlike a LCD that is "on all the time" a plasma uses less energy and less phosphors the darker the image. When black it uses 20 watts, on a full white screen it uses 300 wats (where LCD uses 300 the whole time).

Im getting in the weeds here but anyone who knows theses technologies gets it.

[bandillero]

I liked Dylan on Morning Ho but what's with the screaming and the fast, rushed talking? Is he competing with John King on who can say the most words per sec? Or with Chris Matthews on who can scream loudest? And is this CNBC? If I want to watch financial people I'll tune to CNBC (I don't so I won't). MSNBC is the place for politics. Let's keep it at that.

Truth be told, MSNBC isn't doing it for me. The folks I like Shuster, Lawrence O'Donnell, Tamron, Contessa, O'donnell (lady).

[donna16]

I think Lawrence O'Donnell would have been much better, love him>

[dj5850]

Agreed, Lawrence rocks!

[DaOne]

Ratigan, bozo

[mick7191]

The guy has forgotten more than you'll ever know.

[truthglow]

BOZO is correct!!!!!!!!!!

[Mij13]

MSNBC - Oh please, please, please get rid of Morning ho and mica. You know you want to.

[cvkathy]

What ARE they thinking? Nancy Snyderman? The Smug Dimpled Doctor? No one should take advice from her. She changes course weekly. Last week she was on the bandwagon for something and this week she's stating - definitively - that it's bad for one's health.

And she certainly knows she's way better than anyone else - ever.