MSNBC is reportedly planning to cancel “The ReidOut,” a show hosted by Joy Reid. Since its debut in 2020, the show has aired on weekdays at 7 p.m. Eastern but could be removed from the schedule as soon as Monday. Reports suggest that the network intends to replace it with a new panel discussion program featuring Symone Sanders-Townsend, Michael Steele, and Alicia Menendez.
The New York Times writes:
Joy Reid’s evening news show on MSNBC is being canceled, part of a far-reaching programming overhaul orchestrated by Rebecca Kutler, the network’s new president, two people familiar with the changes said.
The final episode of Ms. Reid’s 7 p.m. show, “The ReidOut,” is planned for sometime this week, according to the people, who were not authorized to speak publicly. The show, which features in-depth interviews with politicians and other newsmakers, has been a fixture of MSNBC’s lineup for the past five years.
The programming shake-up is the first major change made by Ms. Kutler, who was appointed president this month. Ms. Kutler has been drawing up a new programming lineup to jump-start the network’s ratings, which have outperformed rival CNN but lagged behind the longtime ratings leader, Fox News.
This change is part of a larger restructuring effort at NBCUniversal, MSNBC’s parent company, which is considering spinning off several of its cable channels, including MSNBC, CNBC, USA Network, E!, Oxygen, and SyFy. The shift comes after a significant decline in MSNBC’s viewership, which reportedly dropped by over 50 percent after Vice President Kamala Harris’s defeat in the 2024 election, according to a Wall Street Journal report from November.
Alongside Reid’s departure, Alex Wagner’s show—set to return in April—may also face cancellation. There are reports that former White House press secretary Jen Psaki is being considered as a potential replacement for Wagner.
Joy Reid has been known for her far-left political commentary, frequently targeting conservative figures and policies with borderline conspiracy theories.
In a November broadcast, she criticized white suburban voters for what she described as their lack of support for Kamala Harris, contrasting it with the enthusiasm shown by Black voters. Earlier this year, her program featured former Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams, who criticized Vice President J.D. Vance, calling him a “DEI graduate.”
These potential changes reflect a broader shift in MSNBC’s programming strategy, moving away from its previous obsession with President Donald Trump and conservatism.
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