MSNBC is in full-blown crisis mode. The liberal network, known for its unwavering alignment with the Democratic Party and progressive causes, is grappling with the harsh reality of a post-election world that has dealt a massive blow to its ratings, reputation, and future. Comcast’s decision to spin off MSNBC into a new entity, tentatively named SpinCo, is just the latest in a series of setbacks that highlight the network’s shaky footing.
The cracks began to show shortly after the election, with MSNBC suffering a staggering 40% drop in viewership. It appears that its relentless echo chamber of anti-Trump rhetoric and pro-Harris propaganda alienated even its core audience. When Vice President Kamala Harris lost the election, MSNBC’s viewers were left reeling—unprepared for the reality that the network had consistently downplayed.
To address these struggles, Comcast announced the creation of SpinCo, a spin-off entity that would include MSNBC, CNBC, and several entertainment channels like E!, Syfy, and the Golf Channel. The move reflects a broader corporate strategy to separate underperforming properties from the NBC News division. While the name “SpinCo” may be a coincidence, it feels like poetic justice for a network whose critics have long accused it of spinning narratives to fit its ideological agenda.
The news has thrown MSNBC staff into chaos. At a tense 10 a.m. meeting led by NBCUniversal chairman Mark Lazarus, employees bombarded leadership with questions about the future of the network’s branding, headquarters, and its relationship with NBC News. Reports suggest widespread panic among staffers, many of whom fear layoffs are imminent.
One MSNBC insider acknowledged the network’s self-inflicted wounds, telling reporters, “We were so Harris propaganda that when she lost, viewers were shocked. It turned into one giant circle j–k and echo chamber.” The comment underscores how MSNBC’s one-sided coverage not only alienated moderate viewers but also left its liberal audience unprepared for political setbacks.
One of the most high-profile casualties of MSNBC’s reckoning is Rachel Maddow. Maddow, who has long been the network’s marquee star, reportedly had her $30 million annual salary slashed by $5 million. For context, Maddow’s staggering paychecks came despite working only one day a week—a symbol of the network’s questionable financial priorities. While $25 million a year is still an eye-popping figure, the cut signals a shift in MSNBC’s approach to its bloated payroll.
Given the network’s financial struggles, critics have questioned why Maddow wasn’t let go entirely. Her lucrative contract is emblematic of the reckless spending that has contributed to MSNBC’s current predicament.
The uncertainty has also led to some embarrassing attempts at damage control. Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski’s controversial outreach to President-elect Donald Trump was likely an effort to safeguard their positions amid the chaos. The move backfired spectacularly, alienating MSNBC’s left-wing base while failing to earn goodwill from Trump supporters.
MSNBC’s problems run deeper than plummeting ratings or corporate restructuring. The network’s approach to news—unabashedly partisan, often unbalanced, and out of touch with much of the country—has left it vulnerable to a political and cultural shift that it neither anticipated nor prepared for.
