Joy Reid's MSNBC Show Canceled Amid Ratings Plunge: A Dramatic End to The ReidOut

By Staff

NEW YORK, NY, February 23, 2025, 1 p.m - Joy Reid's time at MSNBC is coming to a dramatic close as the network cancels her show, The ReidOut, in a major programming shake-up. The final episode is set to air this week, with Reid's coveted 7 p.m. slot being taken over by a new panel show featuring Symone Sanders Townsend, Alicia Menendez, and Michael Steele.

This decision comes from MSNBC's new president, Rebecca Kutler, who is on a mission to revitalize the network's struggling ratings. Reid's show has seen a staggering decline in viewership, averaging only 973,000 total viewers in February 2025 compared to 1.3 million during the same month in 2024—a drop of 28%.

Reid, who was reportedly offered to continue her role if she accepted a pay cut, has long been a polarizing figure, known for her sharp critiques of Donald Trump and her vocal support for progressive policies. However, her tenure has been marred by controversy, particularly surrounding resurfaced homophobic posts from her old blog, The Reid Report. In one shocking entry, she stated, "Most straight people cringe at the sight of two men kissing."

When these posts resurfaced in 2018, Reid claimed she was the victim of hacking. "I genuinely do not believe I wrote those hateful things, because they are completely alien to me," she insisted at the time. Despite her claims of being hacked and even hiring cybersecurity experts to investigate, she later admitted there was no evidence to support her assertions. "I can definitely understand why some people don't believe me," she said.

The posts additionally referred to same-sex marriage as a "stupid issue" and implied that older gay men prey on younger men, bringing them "into the lifestyle."

The Internet Archive, which rigorously archives web content, found "no reason to believe" Reid's blog posts were altered after their original publication, further undermining her hacking claims. This revelation only deepened the scrutiny surrounding her, as it raised further questions about the authenticity of the resurfaced posts.

Reid's controversial past also includes mocking former Florida Governor Charlie Crist's sexuality, referring to him as "Miss Charlie." She later apologized, saying, "I regret the way I addressed the complex issue of the closet and speculation on a person's sexual orientation with a mocking tone and sarcasm. It was insensitive, tone deaf and dumb."

As Reid prepares for her final broadcast, she leaves behind a legacy that has been both influential and contentious. With the new panel show set to take over her time slot, MSNBC hopes to attract viewers back with fresh perspectives in an increasingly competitive media landscape.

As MSNBC moves forward, the network faces an uphill battle in the ratings war. From 8 to 11 p.m. ET, MSNBC attracted an average audience of just 734,000 viewers, while CNN lagged behind with only 522,000. With Reid's departure, the network is clearly hoping to turn the tide and reclaim its position in the competitive world of cable news.