MSNBC Faces Disastrous Ratings Decline Amid Reshuffled Programming and Management Changes

In a major blow to MSNBC, the network has seen a significant drop in viewership just weeks after debuting a new primetime lineup in an attempt to address tumbling ratings. Leaked Nielsen ratings figures from May 2025 revealed a 41 percent drop in the prime-time demographic and a 34 percent decline in the total day demographic compared to the previous year. The shake-up, which included the hiring of Jen Psaki to replace Rachel Maddow in the 9 p.m. slot and the debut of The Weeknight, a new panel show, has failed to reverse the network’s downward trend, with ratings continuing to plummet despite the fresh programming efforts.

Jen Psaki’s Struggles to Connect with Viewers

Jen Psaki’s appointment to the 9 p.m. slot, replacing the long-standing anchor Rachel Maddow, was seen by many as a strategic move by MSNBC to rejuvenate its primetime offerings. However, the results have been far from promising. Since Psaki’s debut on May 5, 2025, her show, The Briefing with Jen Psaki, has failed to crack the coveted 1 million viewer mark, attracting just 973,000 total viewers on average, a staggering 46 percent drop from the 1.82 million viewers that watched Maddow during her initial tenure in the same time slot during President Donald Trump’s first 100 days in office.

Furthermore, Psaki’s performance in the key 25-54 demographic has been underwhelming. The show garnered only 55,000 viewers in this crucial demographic on May 22, far below Fox News’ Sean Hannity, who pulled in 210,000 viewers in the same time slot. The failure of The Briefing to capture a significant portion of MSNBC’s former audience is particularly notable considering the hype surrounding Psaki’s appointment—many had expected her to maintain or even improve Maddow’s legacy, but the numbers tell a different story.

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A Struggling Network: The Impact of the Restructure

The reshuffling of programming at MSNBC is part of a broader restructuring effort aimed at diversifying the network’s offerings while trying to retain its liberal core audience. Along with Psaki’s new show, The Weeknight—featuring Symone Sanders Townsend, Michael Steele, and Alicia Menendez—was introduced to replace Joy Reid’s canceled show, The ReidOut. Unfortunately, The Weeknight has also failed to deliver. The show, airing at 7 p.m., attracted only 707,000 viewers on May 22, with just 56,000 in the critical 25-54 demographic, further illustrating the steep ratings decline since last year.

MSNBC is facing significant competition, particularly from Fox News, whose flagship programs, including The Five, continue to outperform MSNBC by wide margins. Fox’s The Five remains the most-watched show on cable news, averaging 3.77 million viewers per night in May 2025. In contrast, MSNBC’s declining viewership has prompted the network to ask anchors like Joy Reid and Stephanie Ruhle to take pay cuts, signaling growing financial pressures at the network.

The Departure of Key Figures

The declining ratings at MSNBC are compounded by the departure of key figures from the network. Election night anchor Steve Kornacki, known for his data analysis during the 2024 election, announced in April that he would be leaving MSNBC to focus exclusively on NBC News. Kornacki will continue to contribute to programs like Meet the Press, Today, and NBC Nightly News, as well as the network’s streaming platform, NBC News Now.

Meanwhile, MSNBC is reportedly at risk of losing another key talent—Ari Melber, the host of The Beat and MSNBC’s chief legal correspondent. Melber has reportedly been meeting with rival networks and discussing potential opportunities, which may include launching his own media company. Melber’s departure would represent another significant blow to MSNBC, as The Beat has consistently been one of the network’s stronger performers since its debut in 2017.

The Bigger Picture: The Changing Media Landscape

The struggles of MSNBC are part of a larger trend in the media industry, where traditional cable networks are facing increased pressure from streaming platforms and shifting viewer habits. The decline in ratings is not unique to MSNBC; CNN has also seen a dip in viewership, while Fox News continues to hold a commanding lead in cable news ratings. The changing media consumption habits of younger generations, who are increasingly turning to digital platforms for news, have further complicated matters for cable networks.

For MSNBC, the issue goes beyond just programming changes. The network’s ability to retain its audience amid these shifts is crucial to its survival. While efforts to diversify programming and update the network’s approach are understandable, the ratings collapse suggests that viewers are not connecting with the new lineup. The network’s failure to attract significant viewership in key demographics raises questions about whether its political messaging is resonating with a broader audience or if the polarization in media consumption is driving viewers away.

The Future of MSNBC: A Critical Crossroads

MSNBC finds itself at a critical crossroads. The combination of declining viewership, internal departures, and a shifting political landscape means that the network must quickly reassess its strategy. While the move to diversify its programming with new shows like The Weeknight and The Briefing was an attempt to refresh its lineup, the failure to recapture lost viewers signals that the network may need to reconsider its approach to both content and talent.

The ongoing restructuring, including potential pay cuts for anchors and the scaling back of long-running programs, suggests that the financial pressure on the network is mounting. The network will need to find a way to regain trust with its audience while grappling with the challenges posed by its competitors. Whether MSNBC can navigate these changes successfully remains uncertain.

Conclusion: Navigating the Future of Cable News

The struggles of MSNBC in 2025 are not just about one show or one anchor; they represent a broader crisis in traditional broadcast news. The network is facing challenges in retaining its audience in an increasingly fragmented media environment, where viewers have more options than ever before. The changes to the programming lineup, the loss of key talent, and the ongoing decline in ratings suggest that MSNBC is at a tipping point.

As the network moves forward, it will need to address the underlying issues of content relevance and audience engagement. The future of MSNBC is uncertain, but the shift in its audience and programming strategy will likely have long-lasting effects on the broader media landscape. Whether the network can reverse its fortunes and reclaim its position as a trusted source of news and analysis will depend on its ability to adapt and meet the evolving demands of the American viewer.