Jen Psaki's MSNBC Show Loses 47% of Viewers Compared to Predecessors

MSNBC's revamped primetime lineup has faced significant challenges, with Jen Psaki, the new host of "The Briefing with Jen Psaki," experiencing a 47% drop in viewership compared to her predecessors, Rachel Maddow and Alex Wagner. According to Nielsen ratings, Psaki's show, which debuted on May 6, 2025, averaged 971,000 viewers through May 28, a stark decline from the audience numbers Maddow and Wagner previously attracted. The drop is even more pronounced in the critical 25-54 age demographic, where Psaki drew only 78,000 viewers, a 52% decrease from the 161,000 viewers Maddow and Wagner had earlier this year. Critics have described Psaki as "boring" and "not a great broadcaster.

The lineup overhaul, spearheaded by MSNBC's new president, Rebecca Kutler, aimed to inject new energy into the network's primetime programming. However, the changes have backfired, with other shows also suffering. "The Weeknight," a roundtable show replacing Joy Reid's "The ReidOut," averaged 772,000 viewers in May, a 19% drop from Reid's final month. Among the 25-54 demographic, the new show attracted only 72,000 viewers, down 20%. Overall, MSNBC's primetime viewership in May averaged 877,000 viewers, a 24% decline, while the 25-54 demographic saw a 34% drop to 73,000 viewers. The network's full-day viewership also fell by 33% to 545,000 viewers, with a 41% decline in the key demographic.

The struggles come amid broader changes at MSNBC, including the network's anticipated spin-off from parent company Comcast later in 2025. Psaki, a former press secretary for President Joe Biden, was promoted from her weekend hosting role as part of the revamp, but the early results suggest the strategy has not resonated with audiences.