MSNBC Shakes Up Talent and Cancels “The ReidOut” After Five Years

In a significant shift, MSNBC has decided to cancel The ReidOut, the popular show hosted by Joy Reid, after five years on air. The move is part of a larger shake-up at the network, which has also seen changes in its evening programming lineup. According to reports from CNN and other news outlets, Reid and her fellow evening anchor, Alex Wagner, will be leaving the network, with new faces taking over their timeslot.

This restructuring is a clear attempt by MSNBC to refresh its programming, particularly in its evening lineup. Symone Sanders-Townsend, Alicia Menendez, and Michael Steele, who gained attention during their successful weekend morning shows, will now fill the evening slot previously held by Reid and Wagner. The network is also welcoming Jen Psaki, former White House press secretary, who will be taking on a new role with the network after her tenure at the Biden administration. Psaki, who hosted Inside with Jen Psaki, previously worked as a CNN contributor between 2017 and 2020 before her White House role.

Rebecca Kutler, who recently took over as president of MSNBC, commented on the significant changes, acknowledging the challenges that come with such a major transition. “This is going to be a really exciting time but also a challenging time. I think it’s important that we, as leaders, are honest about that and about the challenges ahead. Our jobs are hard on a normal day, and these are not normal times,” Kutler said, highlighting the complexity of navigating the current political and media landscape.

Joy Reid’s departure from MSNBC marks the end of her third show on the network. She first hosted AM Joy from 2016 to 2020 and later The Reid Report from 2014 to 2015. Reid has been a prominent figure in political commentary and has had a significant impact on MSNBC’s branding as a voice for progressive politics. Her final episode of The ReidOut will air this week, marking the end of an era for the network’s evening programming.

The decision to cancel The ReidOut and move forward with new hosts reflects broader changes across cable news, especially following the end of the election season and the inauguration of President Joe Biden. Networks like CNN have similarly adjusted their programming, shifting long-time anchors to different time slots and moving away from controversial figures. Most notably, CNN made waves when veteran anchor Wolf Blitzer was reassigned to a different time, and other key players such as Jim Acosta saw major changes in their roles at the network.

MSNBC’s programming shake-up is an attempt to recalibrate in the post-election era, bringing in new voices to drive forward its editorial vision. The move also seems aimed at attracting a broader audience, with the network’s decision to promote Sanders-Townsend, Menendez, and Steele reflecting an effort to appeal to younger, more diverse viewers.

As the cable news landscape continues to evolve, this latest shake-up at MSNBC is emblematic of the broader shift across media outlets in adapting to the changing political environment. For Joy Reid, it represents the conclusion of an impactful chapter at the network, but it also opens the door for new faces to take on key roles in shaping MSNBC’s future direction.