MSNBC has made a major programming change by canceling Joy Reid’s evening show, The ReidOut, amid a significant drop in the network’s ratings.
Sources have revealed that Reid’s final episode will air sometime this week, marking the end of an era for the popular news host.
A New Era at MSNBC with a Panel Show Taking Over the 7 p.m. Slot
In a bold move, the network will replace Reid’s 7 p.m. ET timeslot with a new panel show.
This fresh format will be co-hosted by Symone Sanders Townsend, Alicia Menendez, and Michael Steele.
The shakeup comes under the leadership of Rebecca Kutler, who was recently appointed as MSNBC’s new president.
She’s looking to revitalize the network and recover from its disappointing performance in the ratings.
MSNBC Faces Historic Low Ratings and Struggles to Compete with Competitors
The decision to cancel The ReidOut comes after MSNBC’s recent performance reached historic lows, particularly in the critical 25-54 demographic.
This group is vital to advertisers, as it’s known for its significant spending power.
MSNBC’s viewership has sharply declined, with the network struggling to compete during primetime hours.
From 8-11 p.m. ET, MSNBC garnered only 734,000 viewers, while CNN attracted 522,000.
Even during significant news events like the resignation of Justin Trudeau and controversies surrounding former President Trump’s appointments, MSNBC’s numbers failed to improve.
Rachel Maddow’s Return Couldn’t Reverse the Ratings Slide
To combat the slide, MSNBC had hoped Rachel Maddow’s return to a five-night schedule would boost its numbers.
However, despite this effort, the network failed to make a significant comeback.
The viewership decline continued across both daytime and primetime programming, with MSNBC losing nearly half of its 25-54 audience compared to the previous year.
MSNBC Leadership Shakeup and Ongoing Struggles
The network’s challenges have led to a significant shakeup in leadership.
MSNBC’s president, Rashida Jones, left the company in January.
Her departure adds to the network’s uncertain future as it attempts to revamp its image and programming lineup.
NBCUniversal Faces Legal Issues Amid Programming Changes
As MSNBC deals with its internal challenges, NBCUniversal is also addressing legal issues.
The company agreed to settle a $30 million defamation lawsuit filed by Dr. Mahendra Amin, a Georgia gynecologist who was falsely accused of performing mass hysterectomies on detainees at ICE centers.
MSNBC hosts, including Rachel Maddow, were involved in spreading these false claims.
Maddow’s Pay Cuts and Return to a Full-Time Schedule
As part of MSNBC’s ongoing strategy, Rachel Maddow has agreed to return to her five-night schedule for the first 100 days of President Trump’s new term.
This return follows a significant pay cut, with Maddow reportedly losing $5 million from her $30 million salary.
Despite the pay reduction, Maddow remains one of the highest-paid anchors in television news, second only to Sean Hannity of Fox News.
MSNBC Remains Tight-Lipped on Programming Changes
Despite these dramatic changes and challenges, MSNBC has declined to comment on the latest developments.
It remains to be seen whether these shifts will be enough to revive the network’s fortunes.