MSNBC executives are currently facing challenges in reaching Joy Reid to inquire whether she would be willing to host a final episode following her dismissal from the network.
Network president Rebecca Kutler disclosed the concerning lack of communication during a meeting with The Reid Out staff over the weekend after the show’s cancellation, as reported by Status News.
‘We are awaiting a response from Joy and her team regarding her preferences for handling this situation, and we wish to respect her wishes,’ Kutler informed the staff. ‘Our hope is to arrange a concluding show featuring Joy.
Reid has not yet publicly addressed her termination and has remained notably silent on TikTok. The meeting on Sunday reportedly became ‘tense and emotional,’ according to Status News, as employees expressed frustration and sought clarification on the reasons behind the show’s cancellation and its implications for their careers at MSNBC.
Kutler emphasized that Donald Trump was not a consideration in the decision-making process, asserting that the network’s adjustments were based on ‘data analysis and programming strategy’ aimed at positioning MSNBC favorably for the upcoming year.
Joy Reid might not host a concluding episode of The ReidOut after the show’s cancellation.
Rebecca Kutler, the head of MSNBC, called a meeting with Reid’s team on Sunday, which rapidly became tense and emotional.
The cancellation of the show was described as part of a broader set of programming adjustments that will be detailed on Monday. Staff members of the show reportedly voiced their frustration and disbelief upon discovering the show’s outcome through media outlets rather than from the network’s executives.
Kutler confirmed that the show’s staff has been let go but will continue to receive payment until April along with severance packages. Reid is recognized as one of MSNBC’s most prominent figures, known for her strong leftist perspectives on social and political matters.
The 7pm ET time slot previously occupied by the show will now feature a panel program co-hosted by Symone Sanders Townsend, Alicia Menendez, and Michael Steele. In a challenging environment for cable and traditional news networks, MSNBC recorded its lowest-rated January ever in the crucial 25-54 demographic, which is significant for advertisers due to the purchasing power of this group and its relevance to both daytime and primetime viewership.
Between 8-11 p.m. ET, MSNBC attracted an audience of only 734,000, while CNN garnered a mere 522,000.
This took place amidst a tumultuous news cycle that included reports on Justin Trudeau’s resignation, Donald Trump’s inauguration, and the debates surrounding the president’s appointments and pardons.
Commentators such as Jake Tapper and Joy Reid were unable to halt the decline, nor did MSNBC’s decision to reinstate Rachel Maddow on television five times a week, at least during the initial 100 days of the new administration, prove effective.
Joy Reid expresses outrage over Zuckerberg’s decision to reverse censorship policies.
MSNBC experienced a significant decline, attracting only 45,000 viewers during the day and 63,000 during peak nighttime hours, indicating a failure of the Maddow experiment.
The situation is even more concerning when viewed in percentage terms; MSNBC has lost nearly half of its 25-54 demographic since last year, contributing to a 65 percent decrease since the election.
In primetime, the network’s viewership has dropped by 41 percent compared to 2024, with a similar decline observed in daytime programming.
Given the current circumstances and recent developments, the latest Nielsen data suggests that this trend is likely to persist, with Fox News poised to further increase its lead.