MSNBC ratings plummeted as the network continues to restructure its hosting lineup.
TV ratings from May reveal that the network’s prime time lineup didn’t connect with its target 25-54 audience.
MSNBC hit record lows, dropping 41% among primetime viewers, according to Mediaite.
The network’s ratings dropped a total of 34% compared to May 2024.
MSNBC averaged 49,000 viewers during the day and 78,000 primetime viewers, marking its second-worst month in history, AdWeek reported.
The ratings may be connected to the massive changes happening at the network.
In the past few months, the network lost major hosts such as Joy Reid and Steve Kornacki.
The network has reportedly been playing catch-up since last year when it began leaning on its stars, such as Rachel Maddow, to help save its ratings.
Back in November, the hosts of The Morning Joe, Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski, were seen at Mar-a-Lago with Trump, leaving viewers furious.
The dip in ratings and outrage forced Maddow to go back to a full time schedule.
According to a long-time MSNBC staff member, Rachel is perceived as having the most engaging personality and is a key player in a crucial decision-making process at the network.
The source mentioned that Rachel is the go-to person believed to have the capacity to navigate and resolve a challenging situation the network is currently facing.
More recently, MSNBC host Jen Psaki received backlash for comments she made about the network’s politics.
During an appearance on The Grill Room podcast hosted by Dylan Byers, Rachel emphasized the network’s commitment to discussing various political perspectives and keeping viewers informed about the activities of opposing parties.
“And we’re also going to talk about Trump, and it’s typically not going to be positive.
“I don’t think anybody watching expects it to be positive, right?
MSNBC hosts
Meet the hosts who appear on MSNBC:
“There’s not like a North Star thing written on a card, and everybody does it slightly differently, but I think that’s fairly the vibe.”
CABLE CHALLENGES
CNN also reported similar record lows.
The network reported just 81,000 viewers in the prime-time 25-54 age demographic.
The Lead with Jake Tapper, one of CNN’s top performing shows, experienced its worst month since August 2015.
Fox News Channel was the only cable station to rival the prime-time networks of Fox, NBC, ABC, and CBS.
Fox News beat out ABC in weekday primetime, according to data from Nielsen Media Research.
The network averaged 2.9 million total viewers in weekday primetime, making it the fourth highest-rated network in all of television.
In the 25-54 age range, the network drew 262,000 viewers.
Fox News Channel also surpassed ESPN during weekday primetime during coverage of the NBA and NHL playoffs.
