[rkolsen]

It's the same desk - the smaller glass topped desk is still there, it's just been extended on 2 sides (it always slightly bothered me that they extended it so asymmetrically).

This setup was used in the all out politics days, the screen needs tilting up because the presenter can't see the under desk screen when they are further away from it

pbs.twimg.com 

Yeah, that’s what I figured - they just changed main desk partly. And while I don’t watch Sky News Breakfast (as it runs from 2-5AM ET) I figured the piece was an extension.

For the past few days the extension it been permanent or brought out for some interviewees not comfortable with the couch? I find it awkward for political interviews to be on couches - either be at the news desk, or face each other on stools or chair.

I don’t know the staffing but MSNBC gets the desks in and out of 3A pretty quick - when Maddow / Wagner are in studio their desks aren’t in place in-front of the curved wall. I imagine they must add it either in time the second to last commercial block so the anchors / free / interviewees can prepare off camera.