A storm is brewing at MSNBC—and it’s not the kind of drama they typically report. Several of the network’s biggest stars have made sudden exits, and viewers are taking notice. With ratings plummeting and internal efforts to fix the situation only adding fuel to the fire, insiders are hinting at deeper, unresolved issues threatening the very core of the network.

MSNBC Faces Crisis as Ratings Plummet and Talent Departures Continue

MSNBC, once a dominant force in cable news, is now grappling with a significant crisis. As several high-profile hosts have left the network and viewership continues to decline, the network’s leadership is scrambling to figure out how to reverse its fortunes. One of the most notable developments in the crisis is the ongoing decline in the ratings of MSNBC’s flagship programming, including Rachel Maddow’s The Rachel Maddow Show, which has seen a substantial loss of viewers since the 2024 election.

MSNBC is battling plummeting ratings but its new schedule will see Rachel Maddow, pictured, temporarily hosting her show every weeknight at 9pm during Donald Trump's first 100 days

The Decline of MSNBC’s Ratings

MSNBC’s ratings have been steadily falling since the conclusion of the Trump administration, with the network’s prime-time lineup, particularly Maddow’s show, suffering the most. Following the election of President Joe Biden, MSNBC’s audience began to decline, as the hyper-political, Trump-centric news cycle that had fueled the network’s viewership shifted into less dramatic territory. By the beginning of 2025, Maddow’s show had dropped from 2.3 million viewers to just 1.8 million—a staggering 22% decrease. This was accompanied by a further 29% drop in the coveted 25-54 demographic, the key group that advertisers rely on.

The network’s struggles were particularly evident during Maddow’s reduced schedule, where she was only hosting her show once a week. This move, which initially seemed like an attempt to allow Maddow more flexibility in her career, also coincided with a noticeable decline in viewership. Despite the occasional surge in ratings when covering major events like presidential addresses or high-profile political stories, the broader trend pointed to a shrinking audience. The situation became dire when MSNBC’s CEO, Mark Lazarus, made the decision to slash Maddow’s pay by $5 million, cutting her annual salary from $30 million to $25 million in a move to address the network’s financial difficulties.

During Trump's first term in office, Maddow's clout was considerable with her incisive commentary and rigorous reporting anchoring the network's identity

Maddow’s Temporary Return and the New Programming Shake-Up

In response to the network’s plummeting ratings, MSNBC executives decided to increase Maddow’s on-air presence temporarily. Maddow returned to a five-night-a-week hosting schedule for a period, focusing on the first 100 days of President Biden’s administration. Her return was expected to help the network recover, but the results have been mixed. Despite some improvements in viewership, the underlying issue remains the network’s struggle to adapt to a changing political and media landscape.

Over at Fox, Neil Cavuto's departure marks the end of an era for the network's straight-news programming and signals the channel's continued tilt toward opinion-driven content

Alongside Maddow’s return, MSNBC announced several other programming changes to try to reinvigorate its primetime lineup. The network decided to pivot away from its traditional left-wing programming, responding to the growing demand for more conservative viewpoints. To this end, MSNBC introduced several new shows and segments, including a new fact-checking series hosted by Chris Hayes, titled “Here Is What Is True.” The segment is aimed at combating misinformation and reaffirming the network’s commitment to evidence-based journalism in a highly polarized political climate.

However, even with these adjustments, the network’s ratings have not fully rebounded. As The Rachel Maddow Show struggles to regain its former audience, MSNBC executives face the harsh reality that their programming decisions may have alienated the very viewers who once trusted the network for in-depth political analysis.

Through April 30, Alex Wagner, pictured, who has served as Maddow's successor on Tuesdays through Fridays, will pivot to field reporting

The Departure of Key MSNBC Hosts

One of the most notable developments in MSNBC’s ongoing crisis is the departure of several key hosts. Joy Reid, whose show The ReidOut has also been a fixture of the network’s programming, was among the most high-profile figures to leave. Reid’s departure shocked both her fans and MSNBC’s staff, especially since her show had been a strong platform for political discourse, particularly for African American viewers. As The ReidOut was canceled, Reid’s exit left a significant gap in MSNBC’s primetime lineup, and her departure further fueled speculation about the network’s future direction.

Reid’s exit came amidst a broader trend of programming cuts and restructuring at the network. Several other prominent hosts, including Katie Phang and Jonathan Capehart, also saw their time slots reduced or restructured, which only added to the growing sense of instability at MSNBC. These changes raised questions about the network’s commitment to diversity, with many viewers and analysts citing the loss of non-white hosts as a troubling sign.

SpinCo CEO Mark Lazarus has expressed his desire for the new direction several times last year as he looks to shed the perception of liberal bias at MSNBC

The Growing Influence of Conservative Voices

In addition to the talent departures, MSNBC has faced increasing pressure to embrace more diverse voices, including conservative viewpoints, in its programming. Network executives, particularly CEO Mark Lazarus, have expressed a desire for more balanced representation in the network’s offerings. Lazarus, in interviews, mentioned that MSNBC needed to “shed the perception of liberal bias” and move towards a more inclusive and balanced editorial approach.

This shift in strategy has led to significant changes in programming, such as the addition of conservative voices like Symone Sanders-Townsend, Michael Steele, and Alicia Menendez to primetime slots. These shifts are part of the broader trend in cable news to incorporate more diverse and politically balanced perspectives, aiming to appeal to a wider audience. However, whether these changes will help rebuild MSNBC’s viewership remains to be seen, especially given the network’s long history of attracting liberal viewers.

Maddow earns $25 million a year at MSNBC even though she only goes on the air once a week - but she will be on five nights a week from next Monday until the end of April

The Impact of Fox News’ Dominance

As MSNBC grapples with its challenges, Fox News continues to dominate the cable news landscape. With conservative programming on the rise, Fox News has solidified its position as the leading network for conservative views. Recent reports suggest that Fox News has managed to attract more Independents and Democrats to its viewership, further expanding its audience. The dominance of Fox News has only intensified the competition in the cable news industry, leaving networks like MSNBC scrambling to adapt to the changing political tides.

The dominance of Fox News, combined with its increasing reach among various political demographics, has put even more pressure on MSNBC to reconsider its programming and editorial decisions. The ongoing competition has prompted network executives to consider major changes to better compete with Fox and regain lost viewers. However, as MSNBC continues to shift its programming in an attempt to keep pace with Fox, the question remains: can the network return to its former dominance, or is it too late to reverse the damage caused by years of declining viewership?

Maddow's viewership last peaked in 2020, but has declined rapidly since the 2024 election

The Future of MSNBC: What’s Next?

As MSNBC continues to grapple with internal challenges, it faces an uncertain future. The network’s once-unassailable position as a leader in political news is no longer guaranteed, and its ability to maintain a loyal audience in the face of rising competition is in question. While Rachel Maddow’s return to a nightly show and new programming initiatives like Chris Hayes’ fact-checking segment show that MSNBC is still trying to adapt, it’s clear that the network will need to make more drastic changes to stay relevant.

For Maddow, her future at MSNBC remains uncertain. While her temporary return to primetime has brought some improvements in ratings, her long-term position at the network may depend on how well she and the network can navigate the changing media environment. Her influence remains significant, but the question is whether it can be leveraged to reverse the network’s fortunes.

Among other changes is a new fact-checking segment to be hosted by Chris Hayes called, 'Here Is What Is True'

Conclusion

MSNBC is currently facing one of the most significant challenges in its history, with declining ratings, key talent departures, and shifts in programming strategy all contributing to a crisis at the network. As the cable news landscape continues to evolve, MSNBC’s leadership must make critical decisions about the direction of the network. The decisions made in the coming months will likely determine whether the network can recover from its current struggles or continue its downward trajectory. For Rachel Maddow and the other hosts at MSNBC, their futures are uncertain, and only time will tell how the network adapts to the changing media environment.