joy reid msnbc
Joy Reid’s reign at 7 p.m. on MSNBC is officially coming to an end. After five years of headlining The ReidOut, the network’s new president, Rebecca Kutler, is pulling the plug as part of a major shake-up aimed at revamping MSNBC’s lineup.
So what happened, and what’s next for the coveted evening slot? Let’s break it down.
Why Joy Reid’s Show Got Canceled
Reid’s show, known for its deep-dive interviews with politicians and cultural figures, has been a staple of MSNBC since 2020. But with viewership sliding – MSNBC’s prime-time ratings reportedly dropped by 53% since Trump left office, the network needed a fresh approach. Enter Kutler, who took the helm this month and wasted no time shaking things up.
Sources say Reid’s final episode will air this week, although neither MSNBC nor Reid has publicly commented. Still, the move signals a broader push to re-energize the network and compete more aggressively with Fox News and CNN.
Who’s Replacing Joy Reid?
Taking over the 7 p.m. slot is a trio of familiar faces:
Symone Sanders Townsend – Former Democratic strategist and current political commentator
Michael Steele – Ex-chairman of the Republican National Committee and MSNBC contributor
Alicia Menendez – Veteran journalist and current MSNBC weekend host
The trio currently co-hosts The Weekend, but now they’re stepping into prime time with a revamped panel show that aims to offer more diverse political perspectives. It’s a big shift from Reid’s solo format, signaling MSNBC’s attempt to capture a broader audience.
Rebecca Kutler’s Big Bet on Prime Time
This isn’t the only change Kutler is making. MSNBC is banking on familiar faces to boost ratings:
Rachel Maddow – Back to hosting her 9 p.m. show five nights a week for the first 100 days of Trump’s second term. Maddow had previously scaled back to once a week but is returning full-time to capitalize on the renewed political drama.
Andrea Mitchell – After 17 years, Mitchell is stepping down as anchor but will continue as NBC’s chief foreign affairs correspondent, marking the end of an era.
With these moves, Kutler is betting that a combination of Maddow’s star power, a more politically balanced 7 p.m. show, and fresh faces will help MSNBC reclaim its ratings crown.
What’s Next for Joy Reid?
joy reid
So what’s next for Joy Reid? No official announcements yet, but given her influence in political media, she’s unlikely to disappear from the spotlight. Whether she lands another show, pivots to writing, or takes on a new media venture, Reid’s next chapter is one to watch.
Joy Reid’s departure marks the end of an era for MSNBC, but it also opens the door for a new generation of hosts. With Sanders, Steele, and Menendez stepping into the spotlight and Maddow returning full-time, the network is betting big on a fresh approach to political coverage. Whether it pays off remains to be seen, but one thing’s certain: prime time just got a whole lot more interesting.
