MSNBC’s Joy Reid Forced Into Embarrassing Situtation

MSNBC, a network long associated with left-leaning commentary, is reportedly undergoing significant changes as viewership declines and financial challenges mount. Far-left host Joy Reid, often accused of making race a central focus of her programming, is reportedly facing a steep pay cut to remain on air. Stephanie Ruhle, another network host, is also said to be taking a pay reduction, according to a report by Lachlan Cartwright in The Ankler, a Substack publication.

Cartwright paints a grim picture for cable news networks overall, describing the outlook as “bleak,” with the exception of Fox News. “It’s pretty bleak,” a veteran producer told The Ankler. “It’s past the point of hard alcohol.”

Maddow’s Decline in the Post-Trump Era

Rachel Maddow, MSNBC’s marquee star, has seen her audience dwindle significantly since President-elect Donald Trump’s decisive victory over Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 election. According to recent data, The Rachel Maddow Show has lost 43% of its viewers since Election Day, now averaging just 1.4 million viewers. The drop is even steeper among the key 25-54 demographic, with a 56% decline, leaving her with just 103,000 viewers in this critical advertising category.

This decline comes after Maddow transitioned her show to a once-a-week format in 2022 to focus on other projects, despite earning a substantial salary. Under her previous contract, Maddow reportedly earned $30 million annually. However, her new five-year deal, worth $25 million per year, has sparked questions about return on investment. “MSNBC still doled out $25 million to her to work one night a week,” Fox News correspondent Joe Concha noted. “And the return on investment is that she finishes a distant second to Sean Hannity at 9 P.M. Is that money well spent? Rhetorical question.”

Maddow’s ratings slump is emblematic of broader struggles at MSNBC, where primetime viewership has dropped 52%, averaging 644,000 viewers, with only 63,000 in the key demographic. Even Alex Wagner, who took over Maddow’s 9 P.M. slot for most of the week, experienced her lowest-rated week ever last month.

Challenges Across the Industry

The decline isn’t confined to MSNBC. CNN has also suffered, with total-day viewership down 33% year-to-date, averaging 357,000 viewers, and just 65,000 in the 25-54 demographic. Primetime ratings have fallen 39%, drawing an average of 453,000 viewers.

In stark contrast, Fox News has surged in the wake of Trump’s election victory, experiencing a 24% increase in year-to-date viewership and averaging 3 million primetime viewers. This dominance has solidified its position as the leader in cable news.

Joy Reid and the Future of MSNBC

Joy Reid, often a lightning rod for controversy, is reportedly negotiating her continued role at MSNBC amid these turbulent times. Known for her focus on race and social justice issues, Reid has been a divisive figure, with critics accusing her of exacerbating racial tensions. The network’s decision to cut her pay reflects the broader financial strain and recalibration occurring across the industry.

Despite the challenges, MSNBC remains committed to retaining its core audience. However, as viewership declines and competition intensifies, the network faces mounting pressure to adapt to a rapidly changing media landscape. As one insider put it, “2024 was tough, but 2025 might be make-or-break for cable news as we know it.”