In a significant programming overhaul, MSNBC has canceled “The ReidOut,” the 7 p.m. show hosted by Joy Reid, as part of a strategic shift under the network’s new president, Rebecca Kutler. This decision comes in response to declining ratings and aims to revitalize the network’s primetime lineup.
The final episode of “The ReidOut” is scheduled to air this week. In its place, MSNBC will introduce a new panel show featuring co-hosts Alicia Menendez, Michael Steele, and Symone Sanders Townsend. This move marks the first major change implemented by Kutler since she assumed her role earlier this month.
Joy Reid, a prominent critic of President Donald Trump, has been with MSNBC since 2016, initially hosting “AM Joy” before transitioning to the 7 p.m. slot in 2020. Despite her long tenure, the network has faced significant viewership declines, with a reported 28% drop in total viewers during February 2025 compared to the same month in 2024.
Additional changes include Rachel Maddow returning to a five-night-a-week schedule to cover the first 100 days of the Trump administration, after previously scaling back to hosting only on Mondays. Alex Wagner, who had been hosting the 9 p.m. slot, will remain with the network as a correspondent but will no longer anchor the 9 p.m. program. Former White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki is expected to take on one of the primetime slots, expanding her presence beyond her current weekend program.
These programming adjustments are part of MSNBC’s broader strategy to address declining ratings and adapt to the evolving media landscape. The network is also planning to establish a new Washington, D.C., bureau to enhance its reporting capabilities, especially in light of parent company Comcast’s plans to spin off several NBCUniversal cable networks, including MSNBC.
As MSNBC navigates these transitions, the network aims to strengthen its position in the competitive cable news market by introducing fresh programming and realigning its primetime lineup to better resonate with its audience.