DAN ABRAMS TO LEAD MSNBC

The former host of a show on MSNBC is elevated to the general manager's post at the cable network. Media Bistro reports:

"With his nine years of experience at MSNBC, Dan will bring an insider's perspective to the job. Dan is passionate about MSNBC and has the experience and strategic vision to lead it into its second decade," Steve Capus says.

In the press release, Abrams is quoted: "Nothing is more important to me than the future success of MSNBC. I'm looking forward to leading MSNBC into this next phase, building on our recent success. I can't wait to get started."

He won't have to wait long: the appointment is effective immediately. Abrams will no longer anchor "The Abrams Report," but he will "remain NBC News Chief Legal Correspondent, providing legal analysis and commentary for 'Today' and other NBC News and MSNBC programs."

Abrams and his toupee (a friend used to work with him at Court TV and swears it's a rug) have a huge challenge. How best to lift the cable network out of third place in its war with Fox and CNN?