U.S. News

Jen Psaki’s New Show Hasn’t Reversed MSNBC’s Ratings Decline

By Jake Beardslee · June 4, 2025

Former White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki’s newly launched MSNBC show, “The Briefing with Jen Psaki”, has experienced a slow start, with ratings falling below expectations during its first month on air. The show, which airs at 9 p.m. ET, averaged 971,000 viewers from its May 6 debut through May 28, according to data cited in a Fox News report.

This figure represents a 47% decline compared to the average audience previously held by Rachel Maddow and Alex Wagner in a similar time slot. The network had promoted Psaki as a leading voice in its revamped lineup, following Maddow’s reduced on-air presence.

The network’s broader programming changes also failed to reverse declining viewership trends. An ensemble show replacing Joy Reid’s previous slot saw a 12% drop in viewers, while a new weekend program experienced an 11% decline. All three shows also recorded viewership losses in the 25–54 demographic, a key age group for advertisers.

In comparison, Fox News saw a 23% increase in ratings in May, while MSNBC and CNN recorded drops of 24% and 18%, respectively, according to TV Insider. CNN, despite its own challenges, surpassed MSNBC in the crucial advertiser-friendly demographic for the month.

The network’s morning programming was also affected. “Morning Joe”, hosted by Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski, experienced a decline in viewership, further highlighting the struggles faced by MSNBC’s revised schedule.

While MSNBC’s reshuffle aimed to boost engagement and rejuvenate its lineup, the initial numbers suggest the changes have yet to resonate with its audience.