MSNBC has cancelled Joy Reid’s long-running 7 p.m. show, The ReidOut, as part of sweeping changes instituted by the network’s new president, Rebecca Kutler. The final episode is expected to air this week, marking the end of a five-year era that has seen the show become both a platform for in-depth interviews and a lightning rod for controversy.
Who Is Joy Reid?
Joy Reid is a prominent liberal pundit known for her incisive commentary and outspoken views. Born in 1968, Reid rose to national prominence as a journalist and political commentator, eventually becoming one of MSNBC’s most recognizable faces. Over the years, she has been a vocal critic of conservative policies, particularly those of the Trump administration. Her career, however, has not been without controversy. Reid has been involved in several high-profile incidents—ranging from inflammatory on-air rants to contentious statements that have sparked heated debates among viewers and critics alike. Despite these controversies, she maintained a loyal audience and played a key role in shaping the network’s progressive voice.
Joy Reid Cancelled
MSNBC’s decision to cancel The ReidOut comes amid a broader effort to revamp the network’s programming. Sources familiar with the changes reveal that the cancellation is driven by persistently low ratings; the show averaged 973,000 viewers in February 2025—a significant drop from 1.3 million in the same month last year. The move is part of Kutler’s strategic plan to reinvigorate MSNBC’s lineup across all dayparts, including dayside, weekends, and primetime. The 7 p.m. time slot will now be taken over by a panel show featuring co-hosts Symone Sanders-Townsend, Alicia Menendez, and Michael Steele.
The cancellation of The ReidOut signals a pivotal shift in MSNBC’s approach to its programming slate. The decision follows a period of declining ratings and intensified competition in the cable news arena. According to insiders, the network is eager to reposition itself with fresh talent and new show formats that can capture a broader audience. As part of this rebranding effort, the new panel show replacing Reid’s program is expected to offer a mix of political analysis and diverse perspectives—an attempt to balance the network’s progressive identity with a refreshed, more engaging format.
The changes at MSNBC are not limited to Joy Reid’s slot alone. Other high-profile shifts include adjustments to the airtime of Jen Psaki’s Inside with Jen Psaki and the strategic realignment of other key figures like Alex Wagner, who has been transitioned to a correspondent role rather than anchoring a primetime show. These moves underscore a broader strategy to reverse falling ratings and reposition MSNBC as a competitive force in the cable news landscape.
Is Joy Reid Fired?
Despite rampant speculation and online chatter suggesting that Joy Reid was fired, there is no indication that Reid was terminated for cause; rather, the network is undertaking a comprehensive programming reset. While some critics and commentators have used terms like “fired” to describe the abrupt change, the evidence points to a planned cancellation as part of a larger restructuring effort. Reid, who has been with MSNBC for several years, is not being singled out for any missteps alone—her show’s declining ratings and the network’s desire to refresh its image played a far more significant role in this decision.
MSNBC’s shakeup is expected to have far-reaching implications for the network’s overall strategy, especially as it seeks to bolster its ratings in a fiercely competitive market. With the cancellation of The ReidOut and the introduction of a new panel show, the network is signaling its intent to evolve and adapt in an ever-changing media political environment.
