MSNBC is in crisis mode, scrambling to salvage its plummeting ratings after Donald Trump’s triumphant return to the presidency. The liberal network, long a bastion for leftist propaganda, is now facing an existential threat as viewers abandon ship. With Rachel Maddow’s lavish salary slashed from $30 million to a $25 million over five years, it’s clear that MSNBC’s golden days are behind them. According to The Ankler, her contract was renewed under these terms earlier this fall.
“This is a difficult time and they needed to keep her,” an executive explained to The Ankler. “No one else can do what she does. You can’t build a brand like it overnight.”
Another executive referred to Maddow as “ratings Viagra.”
Rachel Maddow just lost $5 million a year thanks to her woke propaganda and perpetual lying.
Legacy media continues to collapse.
Maddow will be fine considering her estimated $45 million net worth. But her salary cut speaks to the larger issue of fake news failing hard. pic.twitter.com/MAMD6fGHFE
— Paul A. Szypula 🇺🇸 (@Bubblebathgirl) November 21, 2024
The network plans to use Maddow as a “secret weapon” during breaking news events, but let’s be honest, it’s too little too late. Their obsession with Kamala Harris left viewers blindsided by reality, as admitted by an on-air commentator: “We were so pro-Harris that when she lost, viewers were shocked.” It’s about time MSNBC stopped coddling its audience and faced the facts.
Just three years ago, Rachel Maddow’s $30 million deal was hailed as a bold move for MSNBC’s future. Now, with her reduced contract, it’s apparent the network is struggling to stay afloat.
Since Trump’s victory, MSNBC’s viewership has nosedived by 40%, according to Nielsen data. Their leftist base is disillusioned, and criticism targets leadership figures like Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski. Their reported meetings with Trump at Mar-a-Lago have only alienated the network’s anti-Trump viewers further. For more on this debacle, check out this article.
The situation at MSNBC continues to worsen as owner Comcast tries to rebrand the network following President Trump’s decisive win.
Rachel Maddow, the networks highest-paid propagandist, just had her salary cut by $5 million/yr for the next 5 years. pic.twitter.com/JPc7sSJKiT
— Bad Hombre (@joma_gc) November 21, 2024
“I don’t know if having these people on would put any useful information out,” another insider told the outlet.
As if things couldn’t get worse, Comcast plans to spin off NBCUniversal’s cable channels, including MSNBC and CNBC. This move could lead to severe cost-cutting measures and raises questions about the future of cable news.
Executives are reportedly finalizing a lineup overhaul affecting daytime and weekend programming, including changes for Morning Joe and airtime redistribution among top talent.
Shortly after Trump’s victory, Scarborough and Brzezinski attempted to mend fences with him at Mar-a-Lago, despite their previous criticisms. The backlash was immediate and brutal, leading to a significant drop in Morning Joe’s ratings. As reported by The New York Post, viewership between 7 a.m. and 8 a.m. fell by 17%, with a 38% drop among the key 25-54 demographic.
Internally, MSNBC staffers are outraged, calling the meeting an act of “cowardice” and expressing concern over the network’s direction.