Veteran MSNBC anchor Andrea Mitchell, a fixture in broadcast journalism for nearly five decades, announced her departure from her daily show Andrea Mitchell Reports following the January 2025 inauguration.

While stepping away from the anchor desk, Mitchell, who turns 78 this week, will remain with NBC News as chief foreign affairs and Washington correspondent, continuing her distinguished coverage of U.S. politics and international relations.

Mitchell’s departure marks the end of an era for MSNBC’s daytime lineup, where Andrea Mitchell Reports has been the network’s longest-running program, debuting in 2008. Her decision to shift away from daily anchoring duties reflects a desire to focus more on in-depth reporting and fieldwork, especially with the challenges facing the next administration.

“I want time to do more of what I love the most,” she told viewers, emphasizing her commitment to reporting on pressing global and national issues, including the crises that will inevitably confront the incoming president.

The departure reflects a wider trend in network news, where cost-cutting measures and the shift to digital platforms have prompted significant changes. CBS News anchor Norah O’Donnell and CNN’s Jake Tapper and Wolf Blitzer have seen similar restructuring, and rumors of more post-election shakeups loom large in media circles.

With news budgets tightening, networks are prioritizing adaptability, streaming, and mobile-first reporting.

NBCUniversal executives, including Rashida Jones, praised Mitchell’s enduring impact on journalism, describing her as a “trusted expert on foreign policy and domestic politics.” Since joining NBC in 1978, Mitchell has covered every presidential campaign since 1980 and seven administrations, earning a reputation for her relentless pursuit of answers and ability to secure high-stakes interviews.

Even as she steps back from her daily broadcast, Mitchell will remain visible on NBC platforms, continuing to hold public figures accountable and asking the tough questions she believes Americans “deserve” to have answered.

For MSNBC, Mitchell’s move signals a reshaping of its programming, as the network grapples with evolving viewer habits and competition from both Fox News and CNN. Her departure from the anchor role may be a loss for MSNBC’s loyal daytime audience, yet her commitment to field reporting and depth-oriented journalism shows Mitchell’s lasting dedication to the work that has defined her career.