MSNBC has announced a significant reshuffle in its programming lineup, marking its first major changes since Rebecca Kutler took over as president. The new schedule, set to launch the week of May 5, 2025, will introduce two new weeknight primetime shows and expand existing weekday and weekend programming, aiming to revitalize the network's offerings.
The centerpiece of the new lineup is The Weeknight, a show featuring hosts Symone Sanders Townsend, Michael Steele, and Alicia Menendez. This show will air from 7 to 9 PM on Mondays and from 7 to 8 PM on Tuesdays through Fridays. The introduction of The Weeknight reflects a strategic shift in MSNBC's approach to evening programming, as the network seeks to attract a broader audience.
On May 6, 2025, The Briefing with Jen Psaki will debut, filling the timeslot previously occupied by Alex Wagner Tonight, which was canceled as part of the shake-up. This new show will air from 9 PM, Tuesday through Friday, and is expected to provide a fresh perspective on current events, drawing from Psaki's experience as the former White House press secretary. Rachel Maddow, who had expanded her show to five nights a week during President Donald Trump’s first 100 days in office, will return to a one-night-a-week format.
According to a report by AdWeek, the changes are part of Kutler's plan to inject new life into MSNBC's primetime lineup and steer the network in a distinct direction, especially as it prepares for a separation from NBCUniversal News Group later this year. The new shows will be based in the network's Washington, D.C. studios, emphasizing the importance of political coverage.
In addition to the new shows, MSNBC is expanding its weekday programming. MSNBC Reports will now feature a two-hour block hosted by Ana Cabrera from 10 AM to 12 PM, followed by Chris Jansing from 12 to 2 PM, and Katy Tur from 2 to 4 PM. This expansion aims to provide viewers with more in-depth reporting and analysis throughout the day.
The weekend lineup will also see enhancements, with The Weekend franchise set to air two three-hour broadcasts on Saturdays and Sundays starting May 3, 2025. Jonathan Capehart will co-host the morning airings alongside Eugene Daniels and Jackie Alemany, while the evening edition, The Weekend: Primetime, will feature hosts Ayman Mohyeldin, Catherine Rampell, Antonia Hylton, and Elise Jordan. Additionally, Ali Velshi's weekend program, Velshi, will expand from two to three hours, airing from 10 AM to 1 PM on both Saturdays and Sundays.
These programming changes come amid a tumultuous period for MSNBC, which has seen the departure of several prominent figures. In February 2025, the network parted ways with long-time anchor Joy Reid and removed Wagner from her primetime slot, signaling a broader re-evaluation of its talent and programming strategy. Reid's show, The ReidOut, was also canceled, and Trump publicly celebrated this decision, labeling Reid as a "mentally obnoxious racist" who should have been removed from the air long ago.
As MSNBC navigates these changes, the network faces stiff competition in the cable news landscape. With Psaki's new show and Maddow's return, the network aims to reclaim its foothold against rivals like Fox News’s Hannity and CNN’s The Source with Kaitlan Collins.
Overall, the upcoming changes in MSNBC's lineup reflect a strategic effort to adapt to the evolving media landscape and viewer preferences. As the network prepares to launch its new shows, it will be interesting to see how these changes impact its ratings and audience engagement moving forward.
