Latest news with #Msnbc
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
MSNBC's revamped lineup flounders, Jen Psaki sheds 47% of predecessors' viewership
MSNBC's revamped lineup has been a misfire through one month, with Jen Psaki shedding half the audience her predecessors averaged in the same timeslot and other new programming struggling to attract viewers. Psaki, a former Biden White House press secretary who has insisted she never saw signs the former president had declined while she worked for him, saw an increased role as part of MSNBC's overhaul when programming changes were announced earlier this year. Psaki took over MSNBC's coveted 9 p.m. ET timeslot on Tuesday through Fridays last month as "The Rachel Maddow Show" returned to only airing on Mondays, after Maddow temporarily returned to airing five nights a week during President Donald Trump's first 100 days in office. "The Briefing with Jen Psaki" averaged 971,000 total viewers from its May 6 debut through May 28, shedding a staggering 47% of the audience that Maddow and Alex Wagner pulled in at 9 p.m. ET throughout 2025. Jen Psaki, The Ex-biden Flack Who Defended His Mental Fitness, Launches Expanded Role At Msnbc Psaki has also hemorrhaged viewers from the advertiser-coveted demographic of adults aged 25-54, averaging 78,000 for a 52% drop compared to the 161,000 demo viewers that Maddow and Wagner averaged on Tuesday through Fridays at 9 p.m. ET before the former Biden spokesperson took over. Wagner hosted Tuesdays through Fridays in Maddow's usual spot before Trump's inauguration. Read On The Fox News App The network also canceled Joy Reid's program "The ReidOut" and replaced it with "The Weeknight," an ensemble program featuring former Vice President Kamala Harris spokesperson Symone Sanders-Townsend, Alicia Menendez, the daughter of disgraced former Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., and Michael Steele, the former Republican National Committee chair who now staunchly opposes the GOP. "The Weeknight" debuted on May 5 and averaged 776,000 total viewers through May 28 for a 12% drop compared to the 886,000 total viewers that "The ReidOut" and other temporary programs managed throughout 2025 in the 7 p.m. ET timeslot before changes went into effect. Credibility Crisis: Press Dismissed Hur Report On Biden's Memory Issues Long Before Concerns Became Undeniable "The Weeknight" shed even more viewers from the key demo, as the new MSNBC show averaged 72,000 for a 20% decrease, compared to the 90,000 demo viewers who tuned into the 7 p.m. ET timeslot before the ensemble program kicked off. Another new show, "The Weekend: Primetime," with Antonia Hylton, Catherine Rampell, Elise Jordan and Ayman Mohyeldin, is down 11% among total viewers and 6% in the demo compared to MSNBC programming that used to occupy its timeslot. Despite the programming overhaul, MSNBC had its second-worst May in history among both total day and primetime in the demo. For the month, MSNBC settled for a dismal average of 49,000 viewers among the critical demo to lose to CNN, which averaged 59,000. During primetime, CNN averaged 76,000 demo viewers and MSNBC finished with an average of only 73,000. Americans Continue To Choose Fox News Channel As Network Dominates May, Tops Abc During Weekday Primetime Only one of MSNBC's new shows is outdrawing its timeslot predecessor, as "The Weekend" with Jonathan Capehart, Eugene Daniels, and Jackie Alemany is up 24% in total viewers and 29% among the demo since launching on May 3. An MSNBC insider pushed back on the notion the network was struggling, pointing to the historic news cycle that occurred during Trump's first 100 days in office that helped attract viewers before the new programs launched. The insider also noted that Psaki has built on the audience of her lead-in while competing in the NBA and NHL playoffs. MSNBC's viewership issues come as Comcast gears up to spin off NBCUniversal cable assets, including MSNBC, into a separate company called Versant that will not be tied to NBC News. MSNBC didn't immediately respond to a request for comment. Ratings data courtesy of Nielsen Media article source: MSNBC's revamped lineup flounders, Jen Psaki sheds 47% of predecessors' viewership
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Psaki bombs: MSNBC's newest primetime program sheds 53% of viewers from key demo in second episode
MSNBC's Jen Psaki bombed on Wednesday night. Psaki took over MSNBC's coveted 9 p.m. ET timeslot on Tuesday through Fridays this week as "The Rachel Maddow Show" returned to only airing on Mondays, after Maddow temporarily returned to airing five nights a week during President Donald Trump's first 100 days in office. Psaki, a former Biden administration press secretary, hosted "Inside" on Sundays and Mondays, and now hosts "The Briefing" at the critical hour. On Tuesday, Psaki's "The Briefing" debuted with 1.2 million viewers and 139,000 in the advertiser-coveted demographic of adults aged 25-54, but her second episode on Wednesday plummeted to just over one million total viewers and only 65,000 in the demo. Jen Psaki, The Ex-biden Flack Who Defended His Mental Fitness, Launches Expanded Role At Msnbc MSNBC's newest program shed a staggering 53% of its demo viewers compared to the first episode only one day prior. Psaki's program also lost a whopping 67% of viewers between the ages of 18-49 after only one episode, as "The Briefing" averaged 113,000 on Tuesday and only 37,000 on Wednesday. Read On The Fox News App MSNBC had much better results at 9 p.m. ET last week with Maddow at the helm, as she averaged 1.9 million total viewers and 141,000 among viewers aged 25-54. Psaki's second episode managed to shed 46% of those totals among total viewers and 54% in the critical demo. Psaki's Wednesday episode was outdrawn by 38 different cable news offerings among the advertiser-coveted demo despite the cushy timeslot. MSNBC's 9 p.m. ET program was outdrawn by everything Fox News Channel had to offer, along with 13 different CNN shows and seven MSNBC programs. Jen Psaki Insists She 'Never Saw' Diminished Biden While Working As Press Secretary On Wednesday, Psaki's "The Briefing" also had fewer viewers among adults aged 25-54 than various repeats of "Friends," "Seinfeld," "Everybody Loves Raymond," "Bob's Burgers," "The King of Queens," and "That 70s Show," along with Nickelodeon's "Paw Patrol," Hallmark's "Reba," and TLC's "My Strange Addiction," and many other basic cable offerings. Psaki also failed to boost her primetime colleagues, as it was MSNBC's lowest-rated Wednesday from 8-11 p.m. among both total viewers and the demo since January 8, before Trump was sworn in for his second term. It was also MSNBC's lowest-rated 9 p.m. program among the demo on a Wednesday since Alex Wagner managed only 40,000 advertiser-coveted viewers on December 11, 2024. Psaki served as Biden's first press secretary from 2021 until May article source: Psaki bombs: MSNBC's newest primetime program sheds 53% of viewers from key demo in second episode
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Jen Psaki, Stephen Colbert take aim at Schumer, blast Dems for relying on old tactics against Trump
MSNBC host Jen Psaki told CBS "Late Show" host Stephen Colbert on Wednesday that not enough Democrats were fighting back against President Donald Trump, as the two liberals mocked Sen. Chuck Schumer's efforts. "I think what's pretty clear is not enough of them are fighting, far too many are still relying on the old tactics of ever lore," Psaki told Colbert before the late-night host quickly brought up Schumer. "But Chuck Schumer, he wrote a very strong letter," he said. Psaki piled on and noted that it included, "eight strongly worded questions." She quipped, "If that's not going to make you shake in your boots, I don't know what is." Jen Psaki Admits Msnbc's Liberal Viewers Expect Negative Coverage Of Trump Schumer touted sending the president a "strong letter" about Trump's government funding freeze at Harvard University, during a CNN interview on Sunday. Read On The Fox News App Psaki praised Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker's speech in New Hampshire on Sunday, calling it "incredibly powerful and strong." In the speech, Pritzker called for mass protests against Trump. She added that "the message he was sending was, 'I'm a fighter, I'm going to say the things, I'm going to call out the do-nothing Democrats' – his word, not my words. He's going to call out what he's seeing in the Trump administration." Psaki continued, saying, "I think what we are seeing right now is there is a divide, basically. There are people who are out there doing stuff, and by doing stuff I mean, it can be anything: go lead a protest, go to a red state, go hold a town hall, go to El Salvador. Whatever it may be, do stuff, people want to know you're fighting and doing things. If Democrats are going to rely on the tactics of old, they will lose." "And so, hopefully more people come on to the fighting side," she added. '60 Minutes' Calls Out Corporate Owner Paramount On The Air, Says Producer Who Quit Felt Interfered With The MSNBC host was also asked if journalists were "caving to the pressure of the Trump administration," and denying the public truth. "Yes, I mean, first of all, when you are picking out the AP and Bloomberg, I mean these are reporters who are asking things like 'what do you say about the bond market? What about these ceasefire negotiations?' They are not gotcha questions, they are there to cover the actual news, policymaking that is happening in the administration," she said, outlining her concerns. "I've worked with media for more than two decades. Where the decisions are made are often behind the scenes, so there is no media organization or media outlet or reporter who is going to say, 'We are going to obey and advance now.' That's not how it's going to work." She added, "What happens is stories are killed, voices aren't invited on, stories are muted, they're watered down. We've obviously seen this happen recently, we don't know all the details behind the scenes with '60 Minutes,' but Bill Owens resigning is a significant statement of what they felt they were experiencing." Click Here For More Coverage Of Media And Culture "I think most journalists are there to hold truth to power, to hold people to account, to follow the story, but where does the pressure come from at the top? And how do people respond to that? And how does that manifest itself in what news ends up on the front pages and on television? And those are pieces you will not see all of the behind-the-scenes conversations on," Psaki article source: Jen Psaki, Stephen Colbert take aim at Schumer, blast Dems for relying on old tactics against Trump
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Jasmine Crockett tells Jimmy Kimmel she will 'absolutely' take head-to-head IQ test against Trump
Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, told late-night host Jimmy Kimmel on Tuesday that she would "absolutely" take a head-to-head IQ test against President Donald Trump. "He also called you low IQ, I'm sure you're aware of that. Would you be willing to take an IQ test publicly head-to-head against the President of the United States?" Kimmel asked. "Absolutely!" Crockett responded. Kimmel played a clip of Trump talking about the Democratic lawmaker, during which he called Crockett the Democrats' "new star," and suggested the party was in trouble if that was the case. Jasmine Crockett Tears Up As Canceled Msnbc Host Thanks Her For 'Continuing Support For Democracy' Trump made the comments about Crockett during the National Republican Congressional Committee Dinner in early April. Read On The Fox News App "This new star, Crockett. How about her? Is that real? Are they serious about that? That's their new star? If that's their new star, they're in serious trouble. I mean, this is — Crockett! Oh man, oh man. We've done a job, but they've totally lost their confidence, and it's a hard thing when you lose your confidence, but they have. They've taken a lot of beatings and now they're going to rely on Crockett to bring them back," Trump said. Crockett said it was the first time she'd heard the sound from the president. "It says a lot when you're supposed to be the leader of the free world, and you're worried about a sophomore in the House. I'm just saying," she said. Click Here For More Coverage Of Media And Culture Crockett has recently suggested that Kilmar Abrego Garcia, the illegal immigrant who was recently deported to an El Salvadoran megaprison, was "a lot less criminal" than Trump. "I mean, we know that they admitted that they were wrong. Now they're trying to double back and say, 'Well, he's this terrible person and all this kind of stuff.' But here's the reality. As far as I'm concerned, he's a lot less criminal than the person that's sitting in the White House, because last time I checked, he doesn't have any criminal convictions," Crockett said of Abrego Garcia. The liberal lawmaker also referred to Trump as a "buffoon" in a social media post earlier this article source: Jasmine Crockett tells Jimmy Kimmel she will 'absolutely' take head-to-head IQ test against Trump
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Jen Psaki admits MSNBC's liberal viewers expect negative coverage of Trump
MSNBC host Jen Psaki admitted on Tuesday that her network's liberal audience expects coverage of President Donald Trump that is "typically not going to be positive" as her role expands. Psaki is set to host MSNBC's 9 p.m. ET program on Tuesdays through Thursdays once "The Rachel Maddow Show" returns to only airing on Mondays following President Donald Trump's first 100 days in office. Psaki, a former Biden administration press secretary, said MSNBC viewers expect the network's primetime hosts to "talk about the opposition" without being particularly friendly to Trump. "We're going to talk about what the opposing party is up to, in terms of Democrats, and we're going to talk about future leaders and things. And, we're also going to talk about Trump, and it's typically not going to be positive," Psaki said on "The Grill Room" podcast with Dylan Byers. Msnbc Awards Jen Psaki More Airtime Amid Programming Overhaul, Rachel Maddow Will Go Back To Mondays Only "I don't think anybody watching expects it to be positive, right? There is not like a North Star thing written on a card and everybody does it slightly differently… that's fairly the vibe," Psaki continued. "I have not experienced this like, 'You have to move to the center, you have to have Republicans on, you have to be more moderate.'" Psaki said she has had Republicans on her cable news program, but she hasn't been given any specific order to appeal to non-liberal viewers. Read On The Fox News App "Every show kind of has a North Star but the vibe is, kind of, under the same umbrella," Psaki said. Byers asked Psaki whether MSNBC currently has a role aside from being a "scream pillow for the left," and noted that Maddow helped shape policy at the height of her powers. Msnbc Cancels Joy Reid's Show As Part Of Programming Shakeup At Liberal Network "First of all, there is only one Rachel Maddow," Psaki said, noting that Maddow has been focused on spotlighting anti-Trump protests across the nation and has refrained from projecting "fear" onto the audience despite a "scary" environment. "People are scared at home, you have to give them some sense of what is also happening," Psaki said. She cited Democratic National Committee (DNC) Vice Chair David Hogg as someone she could envision having an "interesting conversation" with as she explores the future of the party. Msnbc's Future A 'Big Concern' For Staffers As Comcast Moves To Separate Liberal Network From Nbcuniversal "Right now, there is no clear leader… what is clear is things shouldn't be done how they were done in the past," Psaki said. "So, what does that look like? I think that makes for an interesting conversation," she continued. "More interesting, in some ways, than when the party is in charge of everything."Original article source: Jen Psaki admits MSNBC's liberal viewers expect negative coverage of Trump
