You know how MSNBC has been doing the same thing for like, forever? Well, they finally decided to mix things up in a big way this year. We’re talking about the most dramatic programming overhaul they’ve done in ages, and honestly? It’s pretty exciting stuff.
So here’s the deal: they brought in this new president, Rebecca Kutler, and she basically said “let’s blow this whole thing up and start fresh.” And that’s exactly what they did starting in May 2025. If you’ve been wondering why your favorite shows moved around or why there are suddenly new faces everywhere, this is your guide to what the heck is going on.
The Big Picture: Why Everything Changed
Look, cable news has been struggling to keep up with how we actually watch TV these days. Nobody wants to sit through the same boring format anymore, right? MSNBC figured this out and decided to go all-in on something different. Instead of just having one person talk at you for an hour, they’re doing more group discussions and giving shows more time to actually dive deep into stories.
It’s like they finally realized we’re not living in the 1990s anymore. Smart move, if you ask me.
The New Star Show: “The Weeknight” (And It’s Actually Pretty Good)
This is probably the biggest change you’ll notice. Remember those three hosts from “The Weekend” that everyone loved? Symone Sanders Townsend, Michael Steele, and Alicia Menendez? Well, they’re now doing a weeknight show together called – wait for it – “The Weeknight.”
I know, super creative name, right? But don’t let that fool you. This show is actually really good. It launched on May 5th and airs from 7-9 PM on Mondays, then 7-8 PM Tuesday through Friday.
What makes it work is that these three have totally different backgrounds. You’ve got Symone with her White House experience, Michael who used to run the Republican Party (plot twist!), and Alicia bringing in perspectives on Latino issues and social justice. It’s like watching a really smart dinner party conversation, but about politics.
Jen Psaki Goes Daily (Finally!)
Remember Jen Psaki’s weekend show that everyone was always talking about? Well, someone at MSNBC finally had the brilliant idea to give her a weekday slot. “The Briefing with Jen Psaki” started on May 6th and now airs Tuesday through Friday at 9 PM.
This was honestly a no-brainer move. Psaki knows everyone in Washington, she can actually explain complicated political stuff without making your brain hurt, and she’s got that insider access that makes other hosts jealous. Plus, she’s keeping the same look as her weekend show, so it feels familiar even though it’s new.
Rachel Maddow’s Monday-Only Strategy (And Why It’s Genius)
Here’s where things get interesting. Rachel Maddow – you know, MSNBC’s biggest star – decided to scale back to just Mondays at 9 PM. At first, I thought this was crazy. But then I realized it’s actually pretty smart.
Think about it: instead of rushing to fill five hours every week, she can now spend her time on those deep-dive investigations she’s famous for. Her Monday show basically sets the agenda for the entire week. It’s like she’s the political world’s Monday Morning Quarterback, but with actual research and receipts.
The Daytime Gets a Major Upgrade
If you’re one of those people who watches news during the day (and honestly, who has time for that?), you’re in for a treat. They’ve expanded the daytime coverage big time.
Ana Cabrera now has two hours from 10 AM to noon, Chris Jansing gets the 12-2 PM slot, and Katy Tur takes over from 2-4 PM. It’s all under this “MSNBC Reports” brand, which sounds way more official than it probably needs to be, but whatever works.
Your Complete Guide to When Everything’s On
Okay, this is where it gets a little complicated, so I made you a handy table. You’re welcome.
| Time Slot | Monday | Tuesday-Friday | Saturday | Sunday |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6:00 AM – 9:00 AM | Morning Joe | Morning Joe | The Weekend | The Weekend |
| 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM | Morning Joe: First Look | Morning Joe: First Look | The Weekend | The Weekend |
| 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM | MSNBC Reports with Ana Cabrera | MSNBC Reports with Ana Cabrera | The Weekend | The Weekend |
| 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM | MSNBC Reports with Chris Jansing | MSNBC Reports with Chris Jansing | MSNBC Live | MSNBC Live |
| 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM | MSNBC Reports with Katy Tur | MSNBC Reports with Katy Tur | MSNBC Live | MSNBC Live |
| 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM | Deadline: White House | Deadline: White House | MSNBC Live | MSNBC Live |
| 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM | The Beat with Ari Melber | The Beat with Ari Melber | MSNBC Live | MSNBC Live |
| 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM | The ReidOut | The ReidOut | MSNBC Live | MSNBC Live |
| 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM | The Weeknight | The Weeknight | MSNBC Prime | MSNBC Prime |
| 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM | The Weeknight | All In with Chris Hayes | MSNBC Prime | MSNBC Prime |
| 9:00 PM – 10:00 PM | The Rachel Maddow Show | The Briefing with Jen Psaki | MSNBC Prime | MSNBC Prime |
| 10:00 PM – 11:00 PM | The Last Word with Lawrence O’Donnell | The Last Word with Lawrence O’Donnell | MSNBC Prime | MSNBC Prime |
| 11:00 PM – 12:00 AM | The 11th Hour with Stephanie Ruhle | The 11th Hour with Stephanie Ruhle | MSNBC Prime | MSNBC Prime |
What This Means for Your Viewing Experience
Here’s the thing – all these changes actually make sense when you think about it. Instead of racing through topics in 30-minute segments, hosts now have more time to actually explain what’s happening. It’s like the difference between speed dating and having an actual conversation.
Ana Cabrera can now spend two hours really digging into morning news instead of rushing through headlines. Chris Jansing gets to do those investigative pieces she’s great at. And Katy Tur can bridge that awkward gap between day and evening programming without feeling rushed.
Weekend Warriors Get More Love
Starting May 3rd, “The Weekend” got expanded to two three-hour blocks on Saturdays. This might sound like overkill, but honestly, politics doesn’t take weekends off anymore. Have you seen Twitter on a Saturday? It’s chaos.
The longer format means they can actually have real conversations with guests instead of those rushed five-minute segments where nobody gets to finish their thoughts. It’s much more watchable now.
The Departures (RIP Some Favorites)
Okay, not gonna lie – some of these changes hurt a little. Joy Reid is leaving MSNBC, which is a bummer because she brought a unique perspective to the network. José Díaz-Balart and Katie Phang are also losing their daytime slots, which seems like a mistake to me, but what do I know?
Alex Wagner’s show got replaced too, though she’s staying on as a senior political analyst. It’s one of those corporate restructuring things where they’re prioritizing group shows over individual hosts. Makes sense from a business perspective, but it’s still sad to see familiar faces go.
How’s It All Working Out?
So far, so good! The new shows seem to be doing well with viewers. “The Weeknight” has been getting solid ratings, and people seem to really like the group dynamic. Psaki’s weekday show is pulling in good numbers too, which isn’t super surprising since everyone was already watching her weekend show.
The network seems to be holding its own in that all-important 25-54 age group that advertisers care about. Translation: they’re making money, which means these changes are probably here to stay.
Looking Ahead: What This All Means
Here’s my take: MSNBC is betting big on the idea that we want more thoughtful, in-depth coverage instead of just rapid-fire hot takes. They’re giving hosts more time to actually explain things and bringing in different perspectives through group shows.
It’s a risky move in a world where everyone’s attention span is supposedly getting shorter, but I think they’re onto something. Sometimes you actually want to understand what’s happening instead of just getting the Twitter version of events.
The Bottom Line
MSNBC’s 2025 makeover is probably the most interesting thing they’ve done in years. Yeah, it’s sad to see some favorites go, but the new lineup actually makes sense. “The Weeknight” brings fresh energy to primetime, Psaki’s weekday show gives us daily insider perspective, and Maddow’s Monday-only format lets her do what she does best.
If you’re looking for thoughtful political coverage that doesn’t just yell at you for an hour, this new lineup is worth checking out. And hey, at least now you know when everything’s on so you can plan your viewing accordingly.
The real test will be whether viewers stick around for the long haul, but early signs are promising. MSNBC seems to have figured out that we want quality over quantity – and honestly, it’s about time.
