FishbowlLA scoops that YouTube celebrity Cenk Uygur is now a paid contributor for MSNBC, which will include regular segments and filling in as host on an as-needed basis. MSNBC confirms the news with TVNewser.
The host of YouTube’s TheYoungTurks Channel has subbed for Dylan Ratigan, Ed Schultz and Keith Olbermann.
“It’s basically serving as a sixth man coming off the bench whenever any of the shows need me,” Uygur told FBLA.
> Update: The press release with the official announcement from MSNBC is after the jump…
CENK UYGUR JOINS MSNBC AS A CONTRIBUTOR AND SUBSTITUTE ANCHOR
NEW YORK – October 21, 2010 – Cenk Uygur has been named MSNBC contributor and substitute anchor. The announcement was made today by MSNBC President Phil Griffin and is effective immediately.
Uygur has been a frequent guest on MSNBC and has previously served as a fill-in anchor on “Countdown with Keith Olbermann,” “The Ed Show,” and “The Dylan Ratigan Show.”
“Cenk’s fresh perspective and his passion for politics make him a great addition to the MSNBC team,” said Griffin. “ He’s developed a big following on MSNBC and we welcome him to this new role.”
Cenk Uygur is host of “The Young Turks,” the first ever live, daily web television talk show. “The Young Turks” streams live online weekdays from 6:00-9:00 p.m. ET, and can be heard on XM/Sirius Satellite Radio from 8:00-9:00 p.m. ET. One of YouTube’s Top 100 Partners, the irreverent talk show averages over 18 million views per month and has over 320 million views overall on its YouTube Channel.
“The Young Turks” was the winner of the “Best Political Podcast” (Podcast Awards) and “Best Political News Site” (Mashable Awards) in 2009.
Cenk Uygur is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania – Wharton School of Business and Columbia University Law School. His career began as a practicing lawyer before transitioning to write and host television, and later launch “The Young Turks.” Uygur is also a contributing blogger on the Huffington Post, Daily Kos and Politico.