Major Shakeup at MSNBC: Joy Reid and Alex Wagner's Departure Marks New Era

MSNBC is undergoing significant programming changes that could reshape the network's evening lineup. As a result, viewers may soon witness a departure from familiar faces and an introduction to new ones. The upcoming changes include the axing of Joy Reid's "The ReidOut" and the reorganization of Alex Wagner's role.

Joy Reid and Alex Wagner's Departure Marks New Era

Impact on Current Lineup

The NBCUniversal-backed cable network, known for its progressive leanings, is expected to introduce Symone Sanders-Townsend, Alicia Menendez, and Michael Steele as the new hosts for the 7 p.m. slot from Tuesday to Friday. This team will also host two hours on Monday evenings. These shifts direct implications towards Joy Reid, who currently anchors the 7 p.m. segment, and her tenure at MSNBC is expected to conclude this week.

In another major shift, Alex Wagner, who has been a prominent presence during weeknights at 9 p.m., excluding the Monday spot anchored by Rachel Maddow, is being repositioned as a contributor. Despite her high-profile engagement covering the first 100 days of the Trump presidency, Wagner is unlikely to return to her previously held weeknight position. The network seems to favour Jen Psaki for increased airtime, recognizing her successful program launch on "Inside with Jen Psaki" which became MSNBC's most-watched weekend show.

Network Strategy and Challenges

Rebecca Kutler, MSNBC's newly appointed president known for her knack in developing new talent, seems poised to implement bold changes amid significant audience dynamics and business challenges. The network is projected to witness an estimated 10.5% erosion in its subscriber base between late 2023 and 2025, a trend also observed across rival channels like Fox News and CNN. MSNBC might average 61.3 million viewers by the end of 2025, down from 68.5 million in 2023, despite a predicted election year resurgence in news engagement.

MSNBC's leadership hopes to strategically foster its independent newsgathering efforts, bolstering both domestic and international correspondent representation in the network. Staff changes including a new Washington bureau chief and head of talent are expected to be announced, exemplifying the network's intent to maintain its progressive narrative amidst further structural shifts following Comcast's spin-off of NBCU cable networks, carving out MSNBC's stand-alone operational identity from NBC News.

Additional Talent and Future Directions

Kutler's repositioning strategy may introduce Politico's Eugene Daniels and NYU law professor Melissa Murray in undefined roles within the network. This signifies ongoing efforts to sustain MSNBC’s liberal reportage brand while refreshing its primetime line-up.

Current Audience Reception and Viewership Decline

Recent ratings suggest "The ReidOut" has been grappling with declining audience figures, registering a 28% drop from February 2024 to February 2025. Reid, known for her spirited commentaries and borrowing from a bold liberal palette, remains central to the diminishing viewership orientation.

Personal Impression

The proposed programming realignments highlight MSNBC's strategic pivot aimed at capturing a broader political narrative whilst retaining its liberal viewpoint. This broadcasting reshuffle intends to attract a diversifying audience base and reinforce MSNBC's news authority amid shifting viewer landscapes and heightened journalistic competition. The network faces the pragmatic necessity to modernize its content approach and revitalize ratings without deterring its core audience.