Media Earthquake at MSNBC: Joy Reid’s Exit, Rachel Maddow’s Rebuke, and a Controversial Rebrand

New York, NY — The walls of MSNBC are shaking, and not just from ratings battles. In February 2025, the network abruptly canceled The ReidOut, Joy Reid’s prime-time show, triggering a storm of criticism, on-air dissent, and speculation about the network’s future identity.

The decision has fueled debates over corporate priorities, newsroom diversity, and the looming rebrand of MSNBC into MS NOW, a move critics say could reshape liberal cable news—and not necessarily for the better.

Joy Reid’s Sudden Exit

Reid, who joined MSNBC in 2014 and launched The ReidOut in 2020, had become one of the most prominent Black female voices in cable news. Her nightly program blended political analysis with sharp, often unapologetic commentary.

In late February, new network president Rebecca Kutler announced the cancellation of The ReidOut as part of a broader shake-up. Reid’s slot will be filled by a panel show hosted by Symone Sanders Townsend, Michael Steele, and Alicia Menendez.

The move stunned staffers and sparked an immediate backlash online. Fans accused MSNBC of sidelining progressive voices, while supporters of the shake-up argued the network needed “a fresh look” to compete in the 2025 election cycle.

Maddow Calls the Decision “Indefensible”

Few expected Rachel Maddow, the network’s marquee star, to stay quiet. On her own show, Maddow criticized the decision in unusually blunt terms.

“It feels worse than bad—it’s indefensible,” Maddow said, warning that cutting diverse hosts was not just poor optics but “a strategic mistake that undermines the trust we’ve built with viewers.”

Maddow’s remarks added fuel to the fire, with many reading them as a public rebuke of MSNBC’s leadership.

Keith Olbermann Enters the Fray

Former MSNBC host Keith Olbermann didn’t mince words either. In a blistering online post, he called the move a “brutally racist decision” that stripped the network of hosts of color. He urged remaining anchors to stand in solidarity—or risk losing credibility themselves.

Some analysts dismissed his comments as hyperbolic. Others argued that Olbermann voiced what many in the newsroom were quietly thinking: that MSNBC’s new direction looks whiter, more centrist, and more corporate than ever before.

A New Identity: “MS NOW”

The controversy is unfolding against the backdrop of a major rebrand. Following its corporate spinoff from NBCUniversal, MSNBC is preparing to shed its long-time name and relaunch as MS NOW—short for My Source for News, Opinion and the World.

The rebrand is set for 2026, with a sleek red-white-blue logo. Executives argue the change will modernize the brand and position it for the streaming era.

But Joy Reid herself blasted the rebrand before her exit, accusing management of pandering to Donald Trump’s base. “It looks like they’re trying to be MAGA-lite,” she said, warning that MSNBC’s identity—and its loyal audience—could be at risk.

A Divided Audience

The shake-up has split MSNBC’s viewership.

Critics argue the network is abandoning its progressive roots, erasing diverse perspectives, and prioritizing corporate image over journalism.
Defenders counter that MSNBC must adapt to survive in a volatile media landscape dominated by streaming platforms, social media, and political polarization.

Analyst Carla Jennings put it bluntly: “The big question is whether MS NOW will emerge as a bolder, more inclusive brand—or whether this is the beginning of an identity crisis that could cost them their core audience.”

What Comes Next?

For now, MSNBC is doubling down on its new lineup and preparing for its high-stakes rebrand. Maddow remains the network’s anchor star, but her criticism lingers as a reminder of internal fractures.

The battle over Joy Reid’s exit and MSNBC’s future may not be settled anytime soon. In a polarized media environment, where trust and authenticity are currency, the stakes could not be higher.