MSNBC Hosts Face Pay Cuts as Network Struggles with Ratings Decline

Joy Reid, Stephanie Ruhle, and other anchors are negotiating reduced salaries as MSNBC grapples with falling viewership and corporate restructuring.

Joy Reid and Stephanie Ruhle are reportedly being asked to take pay cuts to continue hosting their prime-time shows on MSNBC.
Rachel Maddow, the network’s highest-paid anchor, recently accepted a $5 million annual salary reduction, lowering her pay to $25 million.
MSNBC has seen a significant ratings drop, losing over 50% of its audience since the 2024 presidential election, with Reid’s show averaging 759,000 viewers compared to 1.4 million before the election.
Parent company Comcast has announced plans to spin off MSNBC and other NBCUniversal cable properties, raising questions about the network’s long-term viability.
MSNBC’s leadership, including president Rashida Jones, is reportedly under pressure, with speculation about potential exits as the network faces an uncertain future.