After Comcast announced it would spin off NBCUniversal’s cable channels, sparking fresh concerns among talent and executives at MSNBC. The move has sent shockwaves through the network, which has already been struggling to regain its footing following a drop in ratings and internal upheaval.
According to a report, from The Ankler, Rachel Maddow, MSNBC’s star anchor and the network’s lead voice on election night, has quietly renewed her contract. However, insiders reveal that her new deal, inked earlier this fall, is far less lucrative than her previous $30 million contract, a significant pay cut for the long-time anchor. The exact terms of her new agreement, including the duration and compensation, remain under wraps, but the shift has raised eyebrows within the network.
The anxiety at 30 Rockefeller Plaza extends beyond Maddow’s contract. MSNBC is reportedly planning a major shakeup in both its daytime and weekend programming lineup. Sources tell the Ankler that a new host for the Morning Joe lead-in show is already in the works, though the identity of the new host remains confidential for now. Additionally, several major on-air personalities are set to lose airtime, while others are poised for more exposure—a move that could be seen as an attempt to regain viewership.
The network’s current challenges are reflected in its plummeting ratings, which have dropped a staggering 40 percent year over year in the aftermath of Donald Trump’s victory. The ratings dip has compounded tensions within the network, where MSNBC’s most iconic figures, Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski, have come under fire for their controversial trip to Mar-a-Lago to meet with the president-elect. Critics accuse the pair of undermining their anti-Trump stance, a charge they vehemently deny.
Meanwhile, MSNBC’s newsroom, once the heartbeat of the network’s coverage, has been visibly shaken. A surprising moment during Election Day saw NBC’s late-night stars—Lorne Michaels, Andy Richter, Michael Che, and Questlove—make unexpected appearances in the control room, a symbol of the network’s ongoing attempt to grapple with its shifting landscape. However, with Comcast’s impending spinoff, such crossovers may become a thing of the past.
The shift is expected to bring major cost-cutting measures to both MSNBC and CNBC, further tightening the belt on a network already reeling from dwindling viewership. The future of NBCUniversal News Group chairman Cesar Conde is also in question, as the network’s reduced scope leaves him with a narrower remit. In his new role, he will oversee NBC News, NBC News Now, Telemundo Enterprises, and NBCU Local stations, while pursuing growth opportunities alongside Comcast President Mike Cavanagh.
Executives at MSNBC, including President Rashida Jones, are said to be focused on overhauling the network’s programming, with particular attention to the daytime and weekend slots. This restructuring is expected to bring new talent and fresh formats to the table, but the move also raises questions about which on-air personalities will lose their positions and why.
At the same time, MSNBC faces internal strife surrounding its dual-duty stars—talent who juggle roles between the cable network and NBC News. As the network looks to regain its competitive edge, it remains unclear whether those who are gaining more air time will find themselves in better positions or if this will lead to new challenges.
The internal mood at MSNBC, once a confident force in cable news, has been described as one of uncertainty and frustration. Critics, including former MSNBC star Keith Olbermann, have leveled harsh words at Joe Scarborough over his relationship with Trump, calling out the perceived hypocrisy of the Mar-a-Lago visit.
As the dust settles from Comcast’s spinoff announcement, staffers are grappling with mounting concerns about the network’s future, and the broader implications for MSNBC’s brand and its position in the cable news landscape. With its star anchors under pressure and executive leadership in flux, the network faces a crucial period of reinvention—or risk losing its grip on its audience entirely.