Steve Friedman, a 40-year veteran of TV news, has his next act: MSNBC’s Dylan Ratigan show.
“I look forward to joining the Ratigan team at MSNBC,” said Friedman, who began his TV news career in 1970 at NBC’s KNBC in Los Angeles. “I’ve always believed the stronger the talent, the better the show. And Dylan with his ‘mad as hell at the system’ message matches the tenor of our times. Joining Dylan and my old and dear friend [MSNBC president] Phil Griffin at 30 Rock is a dream come true for me and I can’t wait to get started.”
Friedman was Griffin’s boss when Friedman was EP of the “Today” show, a job he held from 1980-1987.
He was behind the “Today” show’s streetside studio, which has been a staple of morning TV since 1993. (The second floor of that studio, is home to MSNBC’s “Countdown with Keith Olbermann”).
From 1999-2002, Friedman was Senior EP of “The Early Show” on CBS. He’s also launched several cable shows including “Cold Pizza” on ESPN2, the “Dennis Miller Show” on CNBC, “Tucker Carlson Unfiltered” on PBS, and the re-launch of “Squawk Box” on CNBC.
The Ratigan EP job came open earlier this month when, as we first reported, Shannon High left MSNBC daytime for the network’s Peacock Productions.
More in the release after the jump…
STEVE FRIEDMAN NAMED EXECUTIVE PRODUCER OF “THE DYLAN RATIGAN SHOW”
NEW YORK – July 15, 2010 – Veteran television producer and executive Steve Friedman has been named Executive Producer of “The Dylan Ratigan Show,” which airs weekdays from 4:00-5:00 p.m. ET on MSNBC. The announcement was made today by Phil Griffin, President of MSNBC, and is effective immediately.
“Steve Friedman is a legend in the industry and brings a wealth of experience to Dylan’s show,” said Griffin. “I worked for Steve at the TODAY show for several years and know first hand that he’s as inspiring and knowledgeable as anyone in the business.”
“I look forward to joining the Ratigan team at MSNBC,” said Friedman. “I’ve always believed the stronger the talent, the better the show. And Dylan with his ‘mad as hell at the system’ message matches the tenor of our times. Joining Dylan and my old and dear friend Phil Griffin at 30 Rock is a dream come true for me and I can’t wait to get started.”
For the past two years, Friedman has headed his own consulting company Vir2l Media. Prior to that, Friedman was the Vice President of Morning Broadcasts for CBS News, overseeing “The Early Show,” “The Saturday Early Show,” “The CBS Morning News,” and “Up to the Minute.”
Friedman’s career began at WBBM Radio in Chicago before being named Executive Producer of NBC’s “TODAY” in 1980. In 1987, Friedman became President of Grant Tinker’s East Coast division of GTG – Tinker’s partnership with the Gannett Company.
Friedman then returned to NBC in 1990 as Executive Producer of “NBC Nightly News with Tom Brokaw.” In 1995, Friedman went to work at Savoy Pictures as President of the company’s television operation and production and was later named Vice President and Station Manager of WCBS-TV.
Friedman was Senior Executive Producer of CBS’ “The Early Show” from its premiere in 1999 through 2002. In 2003, Friedman was reunited with Bryant Gumbel on PBS as Executive Produce of “Flashpoints USA” co-anchored by Gwen Ifill. Friedman later worked on the launches of “Cold Pizza” on ESPN2, the “Dennis Miller Show” on CNBC, “Tucker Carlson Unfiltered” on PBS, and the re-launch of “Squawk Box” on CNBC.
Friedman has five national Emmys and lives in Manhattan with his wife Beverly.