A Storm Behind the Screen: MSNBC’s Secret Reboot
Major Shakeup at MSNBC: Jen Psaki Takes Over Primetime, Joy Reid Exits in Network Overhaul
In a sweeping transformation of its primetime lineup, MSNBC confirmed on Monday that Jen Psaki will assume a new 9 p.m. Eastern slot, while longtime anchor Joy Reid will depart the network under the shakeup. The changes come as part of a broader reorganization spearheaded by incoming MSNBC president Rebecca Kutler.
Psaki Takes the Primetime Desk
Psaki—who formerly served as White House press secretary under President Joe Biden—will begin hosting at 9 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, taking over from Alex Wagner. This shift is slated to start in late April, according to the network’s announcement. Wagner will stay at MSNBC in a new role as a senior political analyst.
By moving Psaki into this key slot, MSNBC is also repositioning Rachel Maddow, whose nightly show will now air only on Mondays rather than five nights a week as previously mandated during the early months of the Trump administration.
ReidOut Ends; Weekend Lineup Reimagined
The reorganization also includes the cancelation of several weekend programs and the end of Reid’s flagship show, The ReidOut. In Reid’s place, the network plans to launch a new weekend show under The Weekend banner, hosted by Michael Steele, Symone Sanders‑Townsend, and Alicia Menendez.
Reid, who is now set to host her final episode, went public with her frustrations during a call‑in appearance on the Win With Black Women podcast. She candidly shared feelings of anger, hurt, and guilt over the job losses she believes will affect her team.
Cutbacks and Reassignments Across the Network
Several weekend hosts will see their programs end. Ayman Mohyeldin, Jonathan Capehart, Katie Phang, and José Díaz‑Balart are among those whose shows will be canceled under the restructuring. Capehart will shift to hosting the morning edition of The Weekend, while Mohyeldin will lead the evening edition.
Phang will remain with MSNBC as a legal correspondent, and Díaz‑Balart—who holds roles with Telemundo and NBC News—will continue to anchor the network’s weekend nightly news. The network is also scaling back operations in South Florida as part of this reorganization.
Additionally, daytime shows will be affected: anchors such as Katy Tur, Ana Cabrera, and Chris Jansing will see their programs moved or extended. Ali Velshi’s weekend show will expand from two to three hours.
Context: Leadership and Strategic Shift
Kutler, who succeeded Rashida Jones as the network’s president, is overseeing these changes during a pivotal moment for MSNBC. As Comcast prepares to spin off its cable properties, including MSNBC, Kutler has warned of both opportunity and challenge ahead. She described the moment as “exciting” yet acknowledged the difficulty of navigating a news environment in flux.
These programming shifts arrive amid a broader decline in viewership at MSNBC and similar liberal-leaning networks. Over the years, cable news ratings have shifted, with right‑of‑center outlets like Fox News maintaining strong audiences. The realignment at MSNBC appears designed to reset the network’s identity, programming strategy, and competitive posture.
Additional Departures: Lester Holt to Step Back
In related news, Lester Holt, anchor of NBC Nightly News, announced his intention to step down after a decade at the helm. He will transition to a full-time role at Dateline, where he has already been involved for many years. Holt plans to continue anchoring the evening news until summer.
While his retirement doesn’t directly connect to the MSNBC changes, it underscores a broader moment of turnover and renewal across NBC’s news divisions.
What This Means Moving Forward
MSNBC’s sweeping reorganization signals a fresh attempt to reevaluate its lineup and boost relevance in a competitive media landscape. Bringing in high-profile names like Psaki and pulling back from some legacy programs reflects a network eager to evolve its brand.
At the same time, the sidelining of Joy Reid—who has been one of the most outspoken voices at MSNBC—marks a significant shift in tone and strategy. As she closes that chapter, Psaki enters amid both opportunity and scrutiny, filling a slot that carries both prominence and pressure.
With dayparts, weekends, and staffing all in motion, MSNBC is placing a bet on reinvention. Whether viewers and critics respond favorably remains to be seen — but in the midst of transformation, this is the new face of MSNBC’s prime hours.