MSNBC has announced a significant revamp of its primetime lineup, set to take effect in April, as part of a broader strategy to build on its recent surge in viewership. The changes come as the network seeks to capitalize on heightened interest in news coverage, particularly with the return of the Trump administration. In a memo to staff, MSNBC’s new president, Rebecca Kutler, emphasized the importance of maintaining momentum while positioning the network for long-term success. The overhaul includes the cancellation of Joy Reid’s popular show, The ReidOut, and the departure of Reid from the network. Her final episode will air on Monday, with rotating anchors set to take over the 7 p.m. slot in the coming weeks.
One of the most notable changes is the expansion of Jen Psaki’s role at the network. Psaki, who currently hosts Inside with Jen Psaki on Mondays at 8 p.m., will now anchor the 9 p.m. primetime hour from Tuesday to Friday. Her show has already proven to be a ratings success, growing MSNBC’s audience in the Monday 8 p.m. slot since her start in late September. Rachel Maddow, a longtime fixture of the network, will also return to the 9 p.m. slot once a week, building on her expanded role during the first 100 days of the Trump administration. Meanwhile, Alex Wagner, who previously anchored the 9 p.m. slot Tuesday through Friday, will step away from that role to focus on special assignments covering the impact of Trump’s policies. Wagner will remain with MSNBC as a senior political analyst.
In another major shift, the trio of Symone Sanders-Townsend, Michael Steele, and Alicia Menendez will take over the 7 p.m. slot from Tuesday to Friday, following the cancellation of The ReidOut. The three, who currently co-host The Weekend, have already made an impact by increasing viewership in the Saturday and Sunday 8 a.m. slot by 35% in their first year. They will also host a new two-hour show on Mondays from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. This move signals MSNBC’s commitment to fresh perspectives and collaborative hosting formats. As Sanders-Townsend, Steele, and Menendez transition to their new roles, the network will introduce a new group of co-hosts for The Weekend at 7 a.m. and a new 6 p.m. edition on Saturdays and Sundays. Jonathan Capehart, an MSNBC host and Washington Post editor, will co-anchor the morning edition, while Ayman Mohyeldin will be part of the team anchoring the evening edition. Mohyeldin’s new assignment means the end of his standalone show, Ayman, which currently airs on weekends at 7 p.m.
The network is also expanding several of its existing programs. Ali Velshi’s Velshi, which currently airs on weekends from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., will gain an additional hour. Similarly, Ana Cabrera’s Ana Cabrera Reports, which airs at 10 a.m., will extend to 12 p.m., and Chris Jansing’s Chris Jansing Reports will run from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. Katy Tur’s Katy Tur Reports will also add an hour, airing from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. These expansions reflect MSNBC’s goal of providing more continuous coverage and deeper analysis throughout the day.
The restructuring also involves the closure of MSNBC’s Miami-based operations, which will impact José Díaz-Balart Reports and The Katie Phang Show. While both shows are being canceled, their hosts will remain part of the network in other capacities. Díaz-Balart will continue to anchor Weekend Nightly News on NBC, while Phang will transition into a role as a legal correspondent for MSNBC. The decision to consolidate production operations in New York and Washington, D.C., is part of a broader strategic shift, particularly as Comcast prepares to spin off MSNBC and other cable networks into a separate company called SpinCo. MSNBC will also establish its own Washington Bureau as part of this separation, with more details expected in the coming months.
Amid the changes, Kutler has assured staff that there will be more jobs at the network in six months than there are currently, despite the elimination of some roles. She encouraged employees affected by the layoffs to apply for new positions within the company. Kutler also addressed speculation that the cancellation of The ReidOut was an attempt to curry favor with President Trump, who has frequently criticized MSNBC. “No, it did not,” Kutler said unequivocally during a call with staffers. The network’s focus remains on delivering impactful journalism and maintaining its progressive voice, even as it adapts to a rapidly evolving media landscape. These changes underscore MSNBC’s ambition to stay competitive and relevant in a highly charged political environment.
