Joy Reid, a prominent figure in progressive media circles, has been at the helm of The ReidOut on MSNBC since 2020.
However, her time with the network is drawing to a close due to a significant restructuring spearheaded by the new network President, Rebecca Kutler. Reid's final broadcast is scheduled for this week, marking the end of an era for the 7 p.m. slot.
Following Reid's departure, the time slot will transition to a panel show led by Symone Sanders Townsend, Alicia Mendez, and Michael Steele, a former chair of the Republican National Committee. Steele, known for his critiques of both President Donald Trump and Elon Musk, will bring a unique perspective to the program.
As reported by The Post Millennial, MSNBC's ratings have been a driving force behind these changes. Despite outperforming CNN, the network has struggled to compete with Fox News, according to The New York Times.
Variety highlights that "MSNBC has been working to bring viewers back after the results of the 2024 presidential election." The network, alongside CNN, experienced a decline in viewership following Donald Trump's re-election and subsequent re-emergence in national discourse. Both networks have recently implemented programming overhauls in response to these challenges.
Rebecca Kutler's strategic adjustments extend beyond Reid's departure. Rachel Maddow, another voice of progressive commentary, is slated to host her show five nights a week only until the conclusion of Trump's initial 100 days in office. Initially, Alex Wagner was set to take over Maddow's slot, but Kutler is now considering Jen Psaki, former White House press secretary under President Biden, for the role. Psaki has been a part of MSNBC since passing her duties to Karine Jean-Pierre.
These developments coincide with MSNBC's separation from NBCUniversal under Comcast's umbrella, with Kutler assuming leadership in February. According to Variety, Kutler is also eyeing changes to the daytime lineup, seeking "new Washington correspondents and a Washington bureau chief."
She is exploring the "possibility of hiring journalists from outlets such as The Washington Post and Politico," as well as considering talent from other networks and promoting current MSNBC contributors to anchor positions.
As MSNBC navigates these transitions, the network's focus remains on reclaiming its audience and solidifying its position in the competitive landscape of cable news.
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