Major Shakeups Hit MSNBC: Joy Reid’s Show Canceled
MSNBC Executive Reshuffle
In a significant overhaul of its programming, MSNBC has announced several changes at the helm, including the cancellation of Joy Reid’s evening show, "The ReidOut." Rebecca Kutler, who recently took over as President of MSNBC, announced the restructuring, which marks the first major changes under her leadership.
Kutler expressed gratitude for Reid’s "countless contributions" over the years, acknowledging her decade-long tenure hosting various programs on MSNBC, including "The Reid Report" and "AM Joy." Reid’s departure leaves a void in the network’s primetime lineup, which will be filled by a rotating cast of anchors.
Changing Faces in Primetime
Reid’s 7 p.m. EST slot will now feature a series of rotating anchors, including Symone Sanders-Townsend, Michael Steele, and Alicia Menendez, who currently host the weekend show "The Weekend." Sanders-Townsend brings experience as an advisor to former Vice President Kamala Harris, while Steele, a former chairman of the Republican National Committee, offers a diverse perspective.
Meanwhile, Rachel Maddow will continue to host her nightly show five days a week during the first 100 days of President Donald Trump’s second term. Alex Wagner, initially scheduled to return to the weekday time slot, will now be replaced by Jen Psaki, who served as press secretary for Presidents Obama and Biden. Wagner will remain at MSNBC as a correspondent.
Morning and Evening Revamp
The weekend lineup will also see some changes, with Jonathan Capehart joining the morning anchor team, while Ayman Mohyeldin will host the evening edition. These announcements come as MSNBC transitions from its previous leadership under Rashida Jones, who stepped down in January.
Industry-wide Restructuring
MSNBC’s programming shakeups reflect a broader trend in the news landscape. Ratings for both CNN and MSNBC have declined in recent years, prompting changes at several news networks. At CNN, Alisyn Camerota, Chris Wallace, and Jim Acosta have recently departed. Other notable anchor departures include CBS Evening News anchor Norah ODonnell, "Today" show’s Hoda Kotb, and NBC Nightly News anchor Lester Holt, who plans to step down by early summer.
Nielsen data indicates a 44% decline in MSNBC’s primetime viewership between the November presidential election and February, highlighting the need for strategic changes to engage viewers.
Navigating a New Era
In a staff memo, Rebecca Kutler emphasized the importance of innovation and collaboration in the face of these changes. She expressed excitement for the challenges ahead, stating, "We are going to be hard, but it’s also going to be exciting and interesting and a really important time to do what all of us do."
As MSNBC enters a new chapter under Kutler’s leadership, it remains to be seen how these programming rearrangements will impact the network’s ratings and audience engagement. The coming months will provide a clearer picture of MSNBC’s evolving identity and its ability to navigate the competitive news landscape.
