
MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow is set to return to a daily primetime schedule, aiming to boost the network’s plummeting ratings as former President Donald Trump begins his second term.
She’s literally riding on Trump’s coattails…
At a Glance
- Rachel Maddow will host her show five days a week for Trump’s first 100 days in office
- MSNBC experienced a 53% overall ratings drop following Trump’s 2024 election victory
- Maddow’s return is expected to double the ratings of her predecessor, Alex Wagner
- The move is seen as a strategic response to MSNBC’s ratings crisis and changing news landscape
- After April 30, Maddow will revert to hosting only on Mondays
MSNBC’s Ratings Dilemma
MSNBC finds itself in a precarious position following the 2024 presidential election. The network has experienced a staggering 53% overall ratings decline, with primetime viewership plummeting by 58%. This dramatic downturn has prompted executives to take decisive action, bringing back one of their most recognizable faces to stem the bleeding.
Rachel Maddow, who had reduced her on-air schedule to once a week during President Biden’s term, will now return to a daily format. This move comes as a direct response to the network’s ratings crisis and the renewed interest in political coverage following former President Donald Trump’s re-election.
Maddow’s return to a five-day-a-week schedule is specifically timed to cover the first 100 days of Donald Trump’s second presidency. So she’s riding his coattails and profiting off Republican victory.
This strategic decision reflects MSNBC’s hope to capitalize on the anticipated surge in political interest that typically accompanies a new administration.
The network anticipates that Maddow’s expanded presence will significantly boost viewership. Expectations are high, with projections suggesting she could double the ratings of her predecessor, Alex Wagner, who averaged 1.3 million viewers.
Isn’t it crazy to think there are people out there who actually want to watch her?
MSNBC’s Strategy Moving Forward
MSNBC’s decision to bring Maddow back to a daily format is part of a broader strategy to reinvigorate its political coverage and recapture audience interest. The network is introducing new segments, including a fact-checking feature called “Here Is What Is True,” hosted by Chris Hayes.
After April 30, Maddow will return to hosting only on Mondays, with Alex Wagner taking over the time slot for the rest of the week. This arrangement reflects MSNBC’s attempt to balance Maddow’s star power with the need for fresh perspectives in their lineup.
MSNBC’s ratings struggles are not occurring in isolation. The network, along with CNN, experienced significant viewership declines after Trump left office in January 2021. This trend underscores the cyclical nature of news consumption and the impact of major political events on audience engagement.
Left-wing media might actually benefit from obsessing over Trump all over again.