For Four Weeks, MSNBC Is Piloting Taped Programming On Friday Nights

First on TVNewser: In a memo to staffers this afternoon, Rick Kaplan outlined a temporary programming change that’s coming to MSNBC on Friday:

“I want to tell all of you about some special programming we’re going to be running on Friday nights from 9pm until midnight for the next five weeks. As we go into this important period leading up to the Olympics, we’re going to air some of the great taped programming we run on weekend nights. Scott Hooker and his team have done great work with these programs and we want to give our weeknight viewers the opportunity to see them. For these five weeks, Rita, Joe and Tucker will contribute to our other primetime shows on Fridays and will be on stand-by in case of breaking news. This opportunity will also give their terrific teams a chance to get a jump on the week ahead. The three hour block will kick-off this Friday night with MSNBC Investigates: Lockup: Return to Riker’s Island at 9pm, followed by MSNBC Investigates: Lockup: NC Women’s Prison at 10 pm and City in Fear: Son of Sam at 11pm.”

The taped programs have helped MSNBC deliver relatively impressive 25-54 demo ratings on the weekends, and the network is hoping to extend that to Fridays with this pilot…