MSNBC is facing a storm of controversy following the abrupt cancellation of The ReidOut, hosted by the outspoken and highly recognizable Joy Reid. In a shocking turn of events, MSNBC president Rebecca Kutler has revealed that the network is struggling to establish contact with Reid to determine whether she will return for a final farewell episode.

The news of Reid’s firing sent shockwaves through the media landscape, particularly among her loyal fan base, who have taken to social media to express their frustration, outrage, and even speculate on what may have led to the decision. The silence from Reid herself has only fueled rumors and uncertainty, as she has remained unusually quiet on platforms like TikTok, where she is typically active.

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MSNBC Faces Backlash from Staff Over Handling of Cancellation

Status News reported that Kutler addressed Reid’s staff over the weekend following the decision to axe The ReidOut. During the meeting, she acknowledged that the network was still awaiting a response from Reid and her team regarding how she wished to handle the cancellation.

“We are waiting to get a response from Joy and her team about how she would like to handle that, and we want to defer to her on that,” Kutler told the staff. “The hope is that we will have a final show with Joy.”

However, the situation remains tense, with Reid’s team reportedly caught off guard by the sudden move. Sunday’s meeting between MSNBC executives and The ReidOut’s staff was described as “tense and emotional,” as employees voiced their frustration and disbelief over the way the cancellation was handled. According to multiple sources, the staff was blindsided, learning about the show’s cancellation through media reports rather than directly from MSNBC leadership.

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MSNBC’s Struggles with Ratings and Viewer Demographics

The decision to cancel The ReidOut is reportedly based on data analysis and programming strategy aimed at reshaping MSNBC’s lineup for the future. Kutler insisted that the cancellation was not politically motivated, emphasizing that Donald Trump had no influence on the network’s decision.

Nevertheless, MSNBC is grappling with significant ratings declines, with its viewership in the coveted 25-54 demographic plummeting to historic lows. January 2025 marked the lowest-rated month in MSNBC’s history for this key demographic, which is highly valued by advertisers due to its spending power and influence.

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During primetime hours (8-11 p.m. ET), MSNBC averaged just 734,000 viewers, barely outpacing CNN, which garnered 522,000 viewers. These numbers come amid a period of major news stories, including the resignation of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Donald Trump’s second inauguration, and controversies surrounding the new administration’s appointments and pardons.

The network had hoped that bringing back Rachel Maddow five nights a week for the first 100 days of the new administration would boost viewership, but the strategy appears to have faltered. MSNBC’s audience during peak hours has dropped by 41% compared to 2024, with daytime viewership suffering a similar percentage decline.

The Future of MSNBC’s 7 PM Slot and Staff Severance Packages

With The ReidOut officially canceled, MSNBC has announced plans to replace the show with a panel discussion program featuring Symone Sanders Townsend, Alicia Menendez, and Michael Steele. This move is part of a broader shake-up within the network, as it attempts to reconfigure its lineup in response to its struggling ratings.

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In the meantime, MSNBC has confirmed that all staff members associated with The ReidOut have been officially terminated, though they will continue to receive pay until April and will be offered severance packages.

Joy Reid’s Future and Unanswered Questions

As of now, Joy Reid has yet to issue any public statements regarding her firing, fueling speculation about her next career move. Will she remain in the television news industry? Will she pivot to digital media or an independent platform? Or will she take legal action against MSNBC over the abrupt termination of her show?

With tensions high and fans eagerly awaiting an update from Reid herself, the situation remains fluid. What is certain, however, is that MSNBC’s decision to cancel The ReidOut is emblematic of the broader challenges facing cable news networks in a rapidly evolving media landscape.