MSNBC is witnessing significant changes as Joy Reid, the prominent host of "The ReidOut," exits the network and her evening show is canceled. This announcement was made by Rebecca Kutler, the new president of MSNBC, who revealed multiple lineup changes set to occur later this month. Reid's departure marks the end of her lengthy tenure at the network, which began over ten years ago.
Reid’s program, which has been part of MSNBC's evening lineup since 2020, was known for its deep political analysis and engagement with newsmakers. Carrying the important 7 p.m. Eastern slot, Reid’s show was integral to MSNBC’s identity. Now, with its cancellation, the network will transition to featuring Symone Sanders Townsend, Michael Steele, and Alicia Menendez, current hosts of "The Weekend," who will share the 7 p.m. hour as part of a new ensemble news program.
This overhaul also sees the cancellation of Alex Wagner's program, which previously occupied the 9 p.m. Eastern hour, making way for former White House press secretary Jen Psaki. Starting later this month, Psaki will take over the 9 p.m. timeslot from Tuesday through Friday, enhancing her role within the network and moving back to primetime following Rachel Maddow’s shift to hosting only on Monday evenings.
Rebecca Kutler's memo not only confirmed Reid’s departure but also outlined the network's rationale behind these sweeping changes. This restructuring is driven by the impending separation of MSNBC from NBC News, following Comcast's strategic decision to spin off its cable assets, including CNBC, Golf Channel, and USA Network, creating the new company SpinCo. "The intent is to revitalize the network’s programming and distinguish its identity apart from NBC," Kutler emphasized.
With this significant restructuring, MSNBC plans not just to change its evening schedule but also to expand and reconfigure its existing programming. "The Weekend" will now air both morning and evening sessions, headlined by Jonathan Capehart and Ayman Mohyeldin, marking another notable shift for the network.
Inside sources disclosed additional plans to establish new operations, including setting up separate studios outside NBC headquarters at Rockefeller Center and establishing its own Washington bureau. Outlook for future content reflects MSNBC’s anticipation of acquiring key personalities, with discussions underway involving prominent figures such as Politico's Eugene Daniels and New York University professor Melissa Murray.
Joy Reid expressed her sentiments about leaving the network through an emotional video shared on social media, thanking her audience for their support and outlining the value she believes her show brought to viewers. "My show had value... where I come down on this is — I am not sorry," she stated, referencing her principled stance on controversial issues affecting the nation.
Even though Reid has been considered one of the network's more liberal voices, this transition does not indicate any shift away from MSNBC’s progressive audience. Kutler, speaking on behalf of network objectives, affirmed, "We will continue to cater to our progressive viewers, ensuring diverse perspectives are represented on our platforms." This balance remains integral to their programming, and the newly assigned hosts are seen as capable of maintaining this direction.
These changes come on the heels of fluctuated ratings for MSNBC, which saw viewership levels dip significantly after Donald Trump’s election. Burnt-out liberal viewers shaped by the political climate have indicated they might continue to steer clear of cable news. Nonetheless, Nielsen ratings have recently seen improvements with primetime viewership surging by 77 percent from the previous month, showcasing the possibility for resurgence under the new format.
Overall, the impending adjustments at MSNBC reflect the network’s strategy to recalibrate its identity and explore fresh content approaches, solidifying its stance as it navigates through this transitional phase. The talent involved, changing dynamics, and strategic positioning suggest MSNBC is preparing for interesting times as it embraces life beyond the familiar NBC News shadow.