Jacob Soboroff’s Stunning Departure from NBC to Join MSNBC’s New Venture

After a decade as a prominent correspondent for NBC News and a frequent face on the Today Show, Jacob Soboroff is making a bold and unexpected move, leaving the network to join a new spin-off company under MSNBC, now rebranded as Versant. The 42-year-old journalist, known for his incisive political reporting and engaging on-air presence, announced his return to the MSNBC family with palpable excitement, calling it a homecoming. This seismic shift, revealed on Instagram, has stunned fans and industry insiders alike, especially as it coincides with a significant corporate split between NBC and its former sister network, MSNBC.

Soboroff’s departure comes as part of a broader realignment in the media landscape, with MSNBC establishing its own editorial operation, entirely separate from NBC News. This restructuring has forced correspondents to choose sides, and Soboroff’s decision to join Versant marks a pivotal moment in his career. Having started at MSNBC in 2015 before transitioning to NBC News, Soboroff is no stranger to the network’s ethos. “The journalism. The people. Our audience,” he shared on Instagram. “Ten years and one day after I first started, I’m coming home. So grateful.” His enthusiasm underscores a deep connection to MSNBC’s mission and audience.

At NBC, Soboroff carved out a reputation as a versatile journalist, covering high-stakes stories like election campaigns and the 2018 family border separation crisis. His work extended beyond politics, notably with his upcoming book, Firestorm, set for release in January 2026, which chronicles the devastating Los Angeles wildfires. Soboroff also became a familiar substitute anchor on the Today Show, filling in for Carson Daly during The Voice or stepping in for mainstays like Savannah Guthrie and Craig Melvin. His ability to seamlessly transition between hard-hitting reporting and morning show camaraderie made him a standout.

The move to Versant, however, was not a spur-of-the-moment decision. Reports suggest Soboroff was approached months ago, even as he continued anchoring live for NBC. The secretive recruitment process has sparked intrigue, as Versant quietly pulls in top talent from NBC’s roster. Joining Soboroff are correspondents David Noriega, who will serve as a national correspondent, and Vaughn Hillyard, appointed as senior White House correspondent, alongside Megan Rafferty as vice president of news standards. This influx of familiar faces signals Versant’s ambition to establish itself as a formidable player in cable news.

The NBC-MSNBC split is a significant departure from their longstanding partnership, symbolized by the removal of the iconic NBC peacock from MSNBC’s logo. While some, like Steve Kornacki, have chosen to stay with NBC News due to ties with NBC Sports, others, like Soboroff, are betting on Versant’s independent vision. Notably, Willie Geist will straddle both worlds, continuing to anchor Morning Joe on MSNBC and Sunday Today on NBC, but Soboroff’s full commitment to Versant suggests a clean break from his NBC roots.

Based in Los Angeles with his family, Soboroff is expected to remain there, bringing his West Coast perspective to Versant’s national coverage. His departure leaves a void at NBC, where his journalistic rigor and warmth were cherished. Fans are left reeling, not just by his exit, but by the mystery surrounding Versant’s emergence as a new force in media. What does this spin-off have in store, and how will Soboroff’s return to MSNBC shape its future? As the industry watches closely, Soboroff’s bold leap into this uncharted venture promises to redefine his legacy and captivate audiences anew.