Mehdi Hasan's Net Worth Takes Center Stage After MSNBC Departure

Networks often have to make difficult decisions when it comes to their budget, and when this happens, no one is safe. MSNBC, a news channel known for its leftist leanings, saw its weekend ratings fall in recent years, especially compared to its weekday ratings and its competitors. So, they decided to cut The Mehdi Hasan Show.

Mehdi Hasan is a British-American journalist known for his outspoken opinions, well-worded monologues, and tough interviews with his guests. But MSNBC announced in November 2023 that it was canceling the show, and some people believed it was for reasons other than budget and scheduling. As Mehdi has risen to prominence in the journalism world, his net worth has also increased. Keep reading for all of the details.

Mehdi — who has an estimated net worth of $6 million, according to some online reports — began his journalism career after graduating from Oxford with a degree in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (PPE). He first worked as a researcher and producer for ITV and BBC One, both of which are British news channels. He covered the Big 4 of the United Kingdom, moving to Sky, and later on, Channel 4.

In 2012, Mehdi became a presenter for Al Jazeera’s English news channel, which is known for its anti-Israel sentiment and coverage, funded by Qatar’s government. In 2018, Mehdi began his podcast, Deconstructed, to discuss police brutality, “fake news,” and other trending political topics, but he ended the podcast to move to television with The Mehdi Hasan Show.

While Mehdi's salary was unknown, it’s suspected that he amassed quite a bit of wealth through working for major news organizations with a recognizable name. Between his shows, guest appearances, book deals, and anchoring duties, he could easily have a net worth of over $6 million.

Many of Mehdi’s fans are skeptical that his show was canceled for budget reasons. MSNBC first announced the move to staff early on Nov. 30, 2023, according to Semafor, which first reported the news. Although his show was canceled, Mehdi planned to still work at MSNBC as an on-camera analyst and fill-in host. He wasn’t fired from the network.

Two sources familiar with MSNBC’s plans told the Los Angeles Times at the time that the change had been under consideration for months. The weekend ratings, especially during Mehdi’s show, were far lower than other networks at the same time. MSNBC knew they needed to make a change. Also, MSNBC has often shifted its schedule ahead of election years to prep for additional primary and election coverage.

Even still, some fans believed that Mehdi’s show was canceled as a way to silence his pro-Palestinian views. The timing was suspicious, and the cancellation occurred just after he and two other Muslim broadcasters, Ayman Mohyeldin and Ali Velshi, were removed as anchors for other MSNBC shows. However, Ayman’s weekend program is absorbing Mehdi’s timeslot, so it’s unlikely that Mehdi’s show was canceled for political reasons.

On Sunday, Jan. 7, 2024, Mehdi told viewers at the end of his show's final broadcast that he was actually going to leave MSNBC altogether, rather than sticking around at the network in a different capacity as originally planned.

“It’s been an absolute blast doing this live show on MSNBC for the past three years," he told viewers. "But as we begin 2024 with an election coming, a war still ongoing, and too many Trump trials honestly to even keep track of, and with this show going away, I’ve decided it’s time for me to look for a new challenge."

"Tonight is not just my final episode of The Mehdi Hasan Show. It’s my last day with MSNBC," he continued. "Yes, I’ve decided to leave. To be clear, I am so, so proud of what we’ve achieved on this show on this network, and I can’t thank you enough for tuning in and for your support, and for your feedback. But as I say, new year, new plans.”