MSNBC is poised for a sweeping reset of its programming lineup, with significant changes to primetime, dayside, and weekend slots under newly appointed president Rebecca Kutler, multiple sources confirm to The Hollywood Reporter. The overhaul marks Kutler’s first major play since stepping into leadership this month and comes as the network braces to spin off from NBC News later this year.
Among the most notable shifts is the cancellation of The ReidOut with Joy Reid at 7 p.m. ET, which will be replaced by a panel show featuring The Weekend co-hosts Symone Sanders, Michael Steele, and Alicia Menendez. Reid, a prominent progressive voice, is expected to remain with MSNBC in a yet-to-be-announced capacity.
Primetime will see further adjustments as Jen Psaki, the former White House press secretary, expands her role. Psaki, who currently anchors *Inside With Jen Psaki* on Mondays at 8 p.m., is in talks to take over the 9 p.m. hour following Rachel Maddow’s planned return to a once-weekly schedule in April. Maddow, who has helmed a nightly show since 2022, will continue her Monday broadcasts, leaving the remaining slots open. Alex Wagner, Maddow’s frequent fill-in, is set to transition to a correspondent role while staying with the network.
The reshuffle also includes new faces. Politico’s Eugene Daniels and NYU law professor Melissa Murray are in discussions for on-air roles, signaling MSNBC’s push to diversify its commentary and analysis.
Behind the scenes, Kutler is building out her leadership team with hires for critical positions, including head of talent, head of newsgathering, Washington bureau chief, and head of content strategy. These roles are pivotal as MSNBC prepares to operate independently post-spinoff from Comcast’s NBCUniversal, requiring the network to establish its own news infrastructure separate from NBC News.
“We have a new company, new leadership, new offices, and a non-stop news cycle,” Kutler told staff during a recent meeting. “This is an exciting time to build a news organization tailored to our needs, with a seat at the table from the ground floor.”
The changes arrive amid a fiercely competitive election year and broader industry turbulence as cable networks adapt to shifting viewer habits. MSNBC’s progressive-leaning lineup will remain intact, per sources, but the refresh aims to bolster its appeal in a fragmented media landscape.
The New York Times first reported details of the programming shifts. An MSNBC spokesperson declined to comment.
With the Comcast spinoff on the horizon, Kutler’s strategy underscores a pivotal transition for MSNBC—one that balances established stars with new voices while navigating the complexities of standalone newsgathering. As the network redefines its identity, all eyes will be on whether this reset can capture audiences in an era where cable news dominance is no longer guaranteed.
