Rev. Al Sharpton officially tapped as TV host

NEW YORK (AP) - Sharpton is a well-known civil rights activist and minister. He calls the hosting job "a natural extension of my life work and growth."...

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NEW YORK (AP) — MSNBC has named the Rev. Al Sharpton as host of a weeknight program on the network.

Tuesday’s announcement comes after the civil rights activist spent several weeks as a tryout in the 6 p.m. Eastern (2200 GMT) time slot.

His new program, to be called “PoliticsNation,” will premiere next Monday.

Sharpton is a well-known civil rights activist and minister. He calls the hosting job “a natural extension of my life work and growth.”

In addition to being a guest on MSNBC throughout the network’s history, he has also served as an occasional guest host on several of its programs. He hosts a nationally syndicated radio show, as well.

The 6 p.m. hour serves as an important lead-in to MSNBC’s weeknight slate that includes Chris Matthews, Laurence O’Donnell, Rachel Maddow and Ed Schultz.

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press.

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