As MSNBC undergoes a major programming shake-up due to declining ratings, two of the network’s biggest stars,
Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski, are not facing the same uncertainty as many of their colleagues.
Despite Morning Joe suffering a significant drop in viewership since the last election, MSNBC has made it clear that Scarborough and Brzezinski’s positions remain secure.
Viewership Decline and MSNBC’s Ratings Struggles
According to recent Nielsen figures, Morning Joe has seen a dramatic loss in its audience, particularly after President Donald Trump’s electoral victory.
The morning show’s total viewership dropped by 40%, plummeting from 1.1 million viewers before November 5 to just 651,000 in the weeks following the election.
The program’s key demographic—viewers aged 25 to 54—also saw a steep decline. Before the election, Morning Joe averaged 123,000 viewers in this category. That number has since fallen to just 67,000, a critical concern for advertisers who prioritize this age group when investing in media slots.
Comparatively, MSNBC’s conservative competitor, Fox & Friends, experienced a surge in viewership, pulling in an average of 1.5 million viewers—an increase of 29% from the previous year. Despite these challenges, MSNBC has assured that Scarborough and Brzezinski will remain key players on the network.
MSNBC Defends Scarborough and Brzezinski’s Position
As speculation grew over whether more prominent hosts would be cut following Joy Reid’s departure, MSNBC spokesperson Richard Hudock put the rumors to rest. “Joe and Mika are categorically not going anywhere. Nothing here. Full stop,” he confirmed, signaling that the duo’s future at MSNBC is secure.
The network has also defended Morning Joe’s performance, arguing that the show has seen improvements in its audience size since the presidential inauguration. A spokesperson noted that total viewership increased from 587,000 before Inauguration Day to 684,000 afterward—a 17% rise. Additionally, the show’s key demographic audience climbed 24% over the same period.
Criticism and Controversy Surrounding MSNBC’s Programming Changes
Despite MSNBC’s efforts to justify its decisions, some commentators have expressed concerns about the network’s direction. Former MSNBC host Tiffany Cross has been especially vocal, criticizing the network for removing Joy Reid while retaining Scarborough and Brzezinski.
Cross, whose own show was canceled after two years, suggested that Reid’s firing was not simply about ratings. “Don’t believe the hype about the ratings,” she insisted. “Her show was doing very well.”
She also accused MSNBC of favoring hosts who maintain better relationships with those in power. “You know whose ratings aren’t doing well? Who ain’t never got fired? Morning Joe. Joe Scarborough—they went to kiss the ring, and they are still being elevated,” she claimed.
Scarborough and Brzezinski have previously faced criticism for their political affiliations, particularly after a visit to Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort following his election victory. The visit sparked backlash from both conservative and liberal circles, with many questioning whether the couple was shifting their stance to align with the political climate. In response to the criticism, Scarborough defended their journalistic integrity on-air, stating, “All of us will do the best we can do, and we’re all working towards a better America.”
MSNBC’s Broader Programming Shake-Up
The decision to keep Morning Joe comes amid a wave of changes at MSNBC, led by new network president Rebecca Kutler. In an effort to stabilize MSNBC’s struggling ratings, Kutler has implemented several programming adjustments.
Among the biggest shifts, Joy Reid’s The ReidOut was officially canceled, with her 7 PM slot being replaced by a panel show hosted by Symone Sanders Townsend, Alicia Menendez, and Michael Steele. Other hosts, including Katie Phang, Jonathan Capehart, and Ayman Mohyeldin, were also removed from their current time slots.
Jen Psaki, the former White House press secretary, is set to anchor a nightly primetime show, taking over Alex Wagner’s current spot. Meanwhile, Rachel Maddow, one of MSNBC’s highest-profile hosts, will return to a once-weekly format, airing on Mondays at 9 PM following the first 100 days of the new administration.
As part of a broader restructuring plan, MSNBC is consolidating its operations in New York and Washington, D.C., leading to the closure of its Miami studio. This move has affected shows like José Díaz-Balart Reports and The Katie Phang Show. While Díaz-Balart will remain with NBC News, Phang will transition into a legal correspondent role.
Rachel Maddow Speaks Out Against MSNBC’s Decisions
Not everyone at MSNBC is in agreement with the network’s recent changes. Rachel Maddow has publicly criticized the removal of nonwhite hosts from primetime, calling the decision “indefensible.” She expressed disappointment over Joy Reid’s firing, stating, “I do not want to lose her as a colleague here at MSNBC, and personally, I think it is a bad mistake to let her walk out the door.”
Maddow also pointed out a troubling pattern in the network’s shake-up. “On a network where we’ve got two—count them—two nonwhite hosts in primetime, both of our nonwhite hosts in primetime are losing their shows, as is Katie Phang on the weekend,” she noted. “And that feels worse than bad, no matter who replaces them.”
The Future of MSNBC
With MSNBC struggling to maintain its audience in a rapidly changing media landscape, the network’s leadership is banking on these programming adjustments to turn things around. While Morning Joe has been spared, the fate of other longtime MSNBC personalities remains uncertain as the network continues its restructuring.
Despite the backlash, MSNBC’s top executives remain firm in their belief that these changes will position the network for long-term success. Whether or not the strategy will pay off, however, remains to be seen.
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