MSNBC president Rebecca Kutler has appointed Sudeep Reddy, a seasoned journalist with an economics background, to head the network’s new Washington, D.C. bureau. This decision is one of Kutler’s strategic initiatives since she assumed leadership at MSNBC in February.
At age 45, Reddy brings a background in straight-news reporting to the network known for its progressive leanings. His most recent role was as senior managing editor at Politico, where he led a team of about 150 journalists. His reputation for unbiased reporting may come as a surprise to some, contrasting with MSNBC’s typical stance.
Scott Matthews, MSNBC’s senior vice president of newsgathering, announced Thursday that Reddy would start as Washington Bureau Chief on June 16. In his memo to staff, Matthews emphasized that Reddy would oversee the creation and leadership of the bureau and its news operations in the nation’s capital, including assembling a team to cover a wide range of topics in Washington, D.C.
Kutler described MSNBC’s audience as intellectual, valuing analytical and contextual journalism. She noted that Reddy is tasked with establishing and leading a significant Washington reporting team, a move aligned with the current demand for impactful reporting.
The network plans to hire more than 100 journalists for its new Washington operation, including correspondents covering the White House, Capitol Hill, the State Department, the Justice Department, and the Supreme Court. This expansion comes as MSNBC prepares to separate from NBC News and other NBCUniversal entities later this year.
Matthews highlighted that Reddy’s appointment underscores the importance of original and enterprise reporting for MSNBC’s future. The Washington team will focus on the implications of decisions made in Washington, D.C. on people both in the United States and globally.
Before joining Politico in 2017, Reddy spent almost ten years at The Wall Street Journal as a reporter and editor, with a strong focus on economics. His expertise in Washington policy likely played a key role in his selection for this important position.
During his tenure at Politico, Reddy led various initiatives including newsletters, podcasts, live events, and digital content. He also managed strategy and operations for Politico Playbook during President Trump’s first term and established the newsroom’s inaugural audio team.
Academically, Reddy has experience as an adjunct professor at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. from 2014 to 2021. A Texas native, he is an alumnus of Brown University, holding degrees in biomedical ethics and American history.
The bureau Reddy will manage was announced earlier this year, following Kutler’s notable decision to dismiss Joy Reid as a major action upon becoming president. These decisions form part of Kutler’s broader strategy for MSNBC, which saw increased ratings during the first term of President Trump but has since observed a decline.
Upon completing the split from NBCUniversal, MSNBC will become part of a new entity, Versant, comprising solely Comcast cable channels. This change necessitates the establishment of its own newsgathering operation, as it will no longer have access to NBC News resources.
The Washington bureau will be located in the Hall of States building, the current location of NBC News. However, MSNBC’s operations will be separate from the broadcast outlet, as they will no longer function as sister networks.
In his new position, Reddy will report directly to Matthews and collaborate with Erin Zimmerman, vice president of newsgathering. He will be responsible for overseeing a team expected to expand to over 400 employees, significantly larger than his previous team at Politico.
As MSNBC undergoes this transition, Kutler’s choice of Reddy suggests a potential shift toward more balanced reporting while maintaining the network’s core identity. This appointment is timely as MSNBC gears up to function independently, continuing to provide news coverage to its audience.
