The network's audience has dwindled by nearly half, causing a wave of concern among its staff at 30 Rock. The network's star anchor, Rachel Maddow, has not been spared from this downward trend. Despite agreeing to a $5 million-a-year pay cut in a new five-year contract worth $25 million annually, Maddow's ratings have taken a nosedive. This has sparked fears that her substantial remuneration could exacerbate the risk of layoffs among the network's employees.
According to The New York Post, despite an executive's claim that the 51-year-old anchor is a "ratings Viagra," Maddow's show has seen its audience shrink by 41% to 1.4 million total viewers since November 5. In the demographic, Maddow lost half of her audience, attracting just 118,000 viewers, as reported by Nielsen on Wednesday.
IN TRUE "BADA$$" FASHION, TRUMP EXTENDS THIS EXTREMELY CONTROVERSIAL INVITATION!
On the previous Monday, Maddow's program drew a mere 1.3 million total viewers, 13% less than the preceding week, and a scant 84,000 in the key 25-54 demographic. This marked her smallest audience of the year and her worst performance in the demographic since 2015. This decline is part of a nearly 50% drop across MSNBC, where employees are still reeling from the recent announcement that parent company Comcast will spin off the network next year, along with its other cable channels. A top executive even suggested that MSNBC may be compelled to change its name.
TAYLOR LORENZ: I FELT JOY WHEN THE CEO WAS K*LLED
The unexpected spinoff news and plummeting ratings led Joe Scarborough, co-host of "Morning Joe," to quip on air, "We could all be fired a year from now." Nielsen estimated that a staggering 37% of the "Morning Joe" audience has vanished after Scarborough and co-host Mika Brzezinski disclosed their meeting with President-elect Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago to mend their contentious relationship, alienating many of their liberal viewers.
MARINE VET ACQUITTED: IS DANIEL PENNY THE RIGHT'S GEORGE FLOYD?
November 28, 2024
Since Election Day, MSNBC has managed to attract an average of just 497,000 total-day viewers, a 47% drop, with a meager 49,000 in the advertising-coveted demographic of adults aged 25-54, according to Nielsen data. A network source told The Post, "A post-election dip in viewership was always projected and internal thinking is that it will pick up in the New Year, post-inauguration."
JOE ROGAN KNOCKED OFF HIS PODCAST THRONE! GUESS WHO’S STEALING THE SPOTLIGHT ON SPOTIFY AND APPLE?
In contrast, Fox News reported a 32% increase in its ratings to nearly 1.9 million, and viewership in the demographic rose 35% to 248,000, solidifying its position as the most-watched cable news network during and after President-elect Donald Trump's victory. While Fox News saw its primetime ratings surge to 3.2 million, an 86% year-over-year increase in total viewers, MSNBC's total audience plummeted 52% to 644,000.
CALIFORNIA'S NEW IMMIGRATION CLASH: SHERIFF VS. SUPERVISORS IN EPIC SANCTUARY SHOWDOWN
MSNBC's other flagship shows, including Joy Reid's "The ReidOut" and "11th Hour with Stephanie Ruhle," also hit historic lows in the key demographic. Fox, home to Sean Hannity, Greg Gutfeld, and Harris Faulkner, experienced record-breaking growth, capturing 62% of the cable news audience in total-day ratings for November.
BILL CLINTON UNLOADS ON MEDIA OVER WIFE'S 2016 ELECTION DRAMA
An MSNBC insider noted that such ratings fluctuations are typical after presidential elections, comparing the current dips to those following the 2016 post-Trump win and Biden's lackluster debate performance over the summer. The source added that MSNBC's drop has begun to stabilize, but the numbers remain below pre-Trump levels, causing significant "anxiety" within the network.
SECOND AMENDMENT SMACKDOWN? NOT TODAY, SAYS SUPREME COURT IN CONTROVERSIAL GUN CASE
Beyond its ratings troubles, MSNBC faces an uncertain future that may involve layoffs and restructuring. As part of the spinoff, Comcast announced it would retain NBC properties, including NBC News and NBC Sports. This announcement sparked panic among MSNBC employees over potential impacts on the reporting and staffing of the left-leaning network, which heavily relies on NBC News.
