A major restructuring at MSNBC brings significant changes to the network's programming schedule amid declining ratings and new leadership.
According to the New York Post, Joy Reid's "The ReidOut" will conclude its run this week, with the 7 p.m. time slot being filled by a new panel show featuring Alicia Menendez, Michael Steele, and Symone Sanders Townsend.
The cancellation marks the first significant move by MSNBC's new president, Rebecca Kutler, who took the helm earlier this month. The network's decision comes after Reid experienced a substantial viewership decline, losing nearly half her audience since Trump's recent election victory.
The programming shift reflects MSNBC's broader challenges as it adapts to covering the second Trump administration. Nielsen Media Research revealed the network suffered a 53% drop in primetime viewership following the November 5 election results, though numbers showed some recovery in the weeks after the presidential inauguration.
Reid, who has been with MSNBC since 2011, previously hosted "AM Joy" on weekends before securing the coveted 7 p.m. slot in 2020. Her tenure at the network has been marked by both professional achievements and controversies, including a 2017 incident involving homophobic blog posts that surfaced from her past.
The network's decision to replace Reid's show coincides with other significant programming changes, including Alex Wagner's departure from the 9 p.m. slot as Rachel Maddow returns to weeknight broadcasting to cover the first 100 days of the Trump administration.
MSNBC's new leadership under Kutler faces unique challenges as the network prepares to become an independent publicly traded company.
Kutler, addressing employees upon her appointment, stated:
Our jobs are hard on a normal day, and these are not normal times. It's 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.
The network is establishing a new bureau in Washington, DC, and hiring for key positions, including bureau chief and heads of talent, newsgathering, and content strategy. These changes reflect MSNBC's efforts to build its own reporting infrastructure as it separates from Comcast.
Former White House press secretary Jen Psaki is expected to transition from weekend hosting to a primetime weekday slot, demonstrating the network's commitment to reshaping its programming lineup. The move comes as part of Kutler's vision for the network, which she helped shape in her previous role as senior vice president of content strategy.
The cancellation of "The ReidOut" and subsequent programming changes signal MSNBC's strategic pivot as it navigates the evolving media landscape. Reid's departure from the 7 p.m. slot marks the end of a significant chapter in the network's history, while the introduction of a new panel format with Menendez, Steele, and Sanders Townsend represents MSNBC's attempt to flesh its approach to news coverage.
MSNBC's restructuring occurs as the network prepares for its transition into an independent entity, separate from NBCUniversal's cable networks.
Under Kutler's leadership, the network aims to strengthen its news-gathering capabilities and adapt its programming strategy to address the challenges of covering the second Trump administration while maintaining its distinctive voice in cable news.
