MSNBC and Peakcock cancel Mehdi Hasan Show

The British Indian American host also loses show on NBC’s streaming platform Peacock.

In a surprising turn of events on Thursday morning, MSNBC has canceled British Indian American Mehdi Hassan’s weekend show, in what’s told as part of the restructuring of its weekend line-up. “The Mehdi Hasan Show” has also been canned from its sister streaming platform Peacock.

According to Semafor, the outspoken host will now “become an on-camera analyst and fill-in host.”

The website said, MSNBC “plans to host Ayman Mohyeldin’s weekend program to two hours to replace Hasan’s show.”

The decision comes amidst growing speculation about the sidelining of critical voices on the US position on the Israeli-Hamas war.

Hasan, known for the tough grilling of guests, had questioned Mark Regev, an adviser to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, on the death of thousands of Palestinian children.

With his unapologetic and incisive commentary on political and social issues, he became a prominent figure on MSNBC, contributing significantly to the network’s lineup.

Critics were quick to criticize the left-leaning cable channel. Indian American Rep. Ro Khanna wrote on X, “It is bad optics for MSNBC to cancel @mehdirhasan’s show right at a time when he is vocal for human rights in Gaza with the war ongoing. As a strong supporter of free speech, MSNBC owes the public an explanation for this decision. Why would they choose to do this now?”

It is bad optics for MSNBC to cancel @mehdirhasan’s show right at a time when he is vocal for human rights in Gaza with the war ongoing. As a strong supporter of free speech, MSNBC owes the public an explanation for this decision. Why would they choose to do this now?

— Ro Khanna (@RoKhanna) November 30, 2023

“It is outrageous that @MSNBC is canceling the show of @mehdirhasan,” Kenneth Roth, former executive director of Human Rights Watch, posted on X. He is a superb interviewer for getting at the truth, and has been an honest, principled, and outspoken critic of Israel’s conduct in Gaza. Was his criticism behind this move?”

It is outrageous that @MSNBC is canceling the show of @mehdirhasan. He is a superb interviewer for getting at the truth, and has been an honest, principled, and outspoken critic of Israel's conduct in Gaza. Was his criticism behind this move? https://t.co/dQOn93Loua

— Kenneth Roth (@KenRoth) November 30, 2023

Hasan, who was born in Britain, joined MSNBC in 2016, a year after moving to the United States. In 2020, he became an American citizen.

READ MORE:
British Indian journalist Mehdi Hasan calls out Southwest Airlines for threatening his wife in headscarf (December 3, 2019)