MSNBC is undergoing a sweeping programming overhaul, canceling multiple shows, reassigning key hosts, and restructuring its newsroom as part of a broader corporate and strategic shift.
Among the most high-profile changes: Joy Reid’s exit from the network, the cancellation of Ayman Mohyeldin’s weekend evening show, and Lester Holt stepping down as anchor of NBC’s Nightly News after a decade.
These changes are part of a long-anticipated network-wide transformation under Rebecca Kutler, who took over as MSNBC president in February following the departure of Rashida Jones.
MSNBC’s parent company, Comcast, is preparing to spin off the network and other cable properties into a new entity, SpinCo, which will separate MSNBC from NBC News and force it to establish an independent news operation.
The shift comes at a time of declining ratings, election fatigue, and a politically shifting media landscape with Donald Trump’s return to the White House.
Primetime Shakeup: Who’s In and Who’s Out?
MSNBC has announced a major programming shake-up that impacts both its weekday primetime and weekend lineup:
Joy Reid’s The ReidOut Canceled: Reid, who has hosted MSNBC’s 7 p.m. ET show since 2020, is leaving the network. A new program featuring Symone Sanders-Townsend, Alicia Menendez, and Michael Steele will replace it.
Jen Psaki Moves to 9 p.m. ET: The former White House press secretary will take over Tuesday through Friday, replacing Alex Wagner, who moves to a senior political analyst role.
Rachel Maddow Returns to Five Nights a Week Temporarily: Maddow, MSNBC’s highest-paid host, will anchor 9 p.m. ET Monday-Friday for the first 100 days of Trump’s administration, before returning to her once-a-week Monday show.
Ayman Mohyeldin’s Weekend Show Canceled: Ayman, which aired on weekend evenings, is being eliminated as part of MSNBC’s move toward ensemble shows. Mohyeldin will transition to an anchor role on The Weekend at 6 p.m. ET on Saturdays and Sundays.
Jonathan Capehart and Katie Phang’s Weekend Shows Canceled: Capehart will also join The Weekend as a morning co-anchor, while Phang will remain with the network as a legal correspondent.
Ali Velshi’s Weekend Show Expanded: His program, Velshi, will increase to three hours on weekends.
Lester Holt Leaving NBC’s Nightly News: Holt, who has anchored NBC’s flagship evening broadcast for a decade, will step down early this summer. He will, however, continue working at NBC as principal anchor of Dateline.
Miami Operations Shutting Down: MSNBC is scaling back its presence in Miami, impacting shows like José Díaz-Balart Reports and The Katie Phang Show.
Network executives say these changes are aimed at revamping MSNBC’s approach to political coverage while making it more financially sustainable.
Reports indicate that staff from The ReidOut, José Díaz-Balart Reports, and The Katie Phang Show are being laid off, with employees given six weeks to either apply for other MSNBC roles or accept severance and leave the network.
A leaked internal meeting revealed that MSNBC executives believe ensemble hosting formats are more cost-effective and audience-friendly, which is why more shows are moving toward multi-anchor formats like The Weekend.
Why MSNBC Is Flipping the Script
MSNBC’s sweeping restructuring is driven by a combination of corporate independence, declining ratings, and the shifting political landscape under Donald Trump’s presidency.
The most significant factor is Comcast’s decision to spin off MSNBC and other NBCUniversal-owned cable networks into a new entity, SpinCo. This means MSNBC will no longer share resources with NBC News and must develop its own independent newsroom and production infrastructure.
As part of this transition, the network is consolidating its operations in New York and Washington, D.C., while shutting down its Miami hub, a move that has led to the cancellation of several programs and layoffs of entire production teams.
MSNBC executives believe these shifts are necessary to streamline costs, improve efficiency, and position the network for long-term sustainability.
At the same time, MSNBC, like other cable news networks, is grappling with a decline in traditional TV viewership. Audience habits have changed, with more people turning to digital platforms, streaming services, and social media for news.
MSNBC has experienced a 10.5% decline in subscribers over the past two years, and The ReidOut in particular suffered a 28% drop in total viewers and a 14% decline in the key 25-54 advertiser demographic.
In an effort to address these challenges, the network is prioritizing multi-host, ensemble programming, which executives say has proven more cost-effective and engaging for audiences.
Shows like The Weekend will feature multiple co-anchors rather than individual hosts, aligning with a broader trend in cable news to adapt to shifting viewer preferences.
Politics also plays a major role in MSNBC’s overhaul. Donald Trump’s return to the White House has forced the network to rethink its primetime strategy, as it aims to remain the dominant progressive voice in political news.
Bringing back Rachel Maddow for a five-night-a-week schedule during Trump’s first 100 days, expanding Jen Psaki’s role to four nights a week at 9 p.m., and canceling underperforming shows like The ReidOut and Ayman in favor of new ensemble formats reflect MSNBC’s commitment to strengthening its influence in the high-stakes, post-election media environment.
Network executives are betting that these changes will shore up ratings, attract younger viewers, and reinforce MSNBC’s position as the go-to channel for progressive political coverage in the Trump era.
What’s Next for MSNBC?
MSNBC executives acknowledge that these programming shifts mark a transformational period for the network. While some changes are aimed at rebuilding viewership, others are tied to corporate restructuring as the network moves away from NBC News.
Rebecca Kutler, the new MSNBC president, reportedly told staff:
“We have a new company, we have new leadership, we will have new offices, and we have a non-stop news cycle. It’s going to be hard, but it’s also going to be an exciting and important time.”
