Since the conclusion of the most recent election cycle, MSNBC has faced a significant decline in viewership, with its primetime audience dropping by more than half compared to pre-election numbers. The network, which once thrived on its loyal left-leaning audience, is now averaging about 600,000 viewers a huge contrast to competitors like Fox News, which has seen a 12% ratings increase since Election Day. This sharp downturn raises questions about MSNBC’s editorial direction and its relationship with its audience.

As MSNBC grapples with its waning influence, the network’s leadership is facing internal turmoil. President Rashida Jones recently stepped down, adding further instability to a network struggling to navigate a changing media landscape.

Rashida Jones, the first Black executive to head a major U.S. television news network, shared the news of her departure with top MSNBC anchors, leadership, and staff during a meeting on Tuesday morning. MSNBC and NBC News operate under the umbrella of NBCUniversal.  

Rebecca Kutler, currently the senior vice president of content strategy, has been appointed as interim president of MSNBC. Jones, who brought Kutler to the network in 2022, will remain in an advisory capacity until March. 

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A large portion of this decline can be attributed to public perception of MSNBC’s election coverage. Many viewers have criticized the network for abandoning journalistic ethics and engaging in partisan bias. Throughout the election cycle, MSNBC was widely seen as pushing a pro-Democratic narrative, portraying the party in an overwhelmingly positive light while relentlessly attacking Republican candidates and policies. For many, this felt less like news and more like propaganda, leaving viewers seeking out alternatives, and more balanced news sources.

MSNBC’s aggressive stance against the Republican Party may have backfired, alienating a segment of their audience and destroying trust. News outlets are expected to report facts without picking sides, yet MSNBC’s decisions during the election cycle gave the impression of an unrelenting allegiance to the Democratic Party. This perception has damaged their credibility and caused their audience to turn elsewhere.

This isn’t the first time a legacy media outlet has faced backlash for perceived bias. The decline of other legacy news networks should serve as a cautionary tale. But will it? Audiences are becoming increasingly aware of propaganda and demanding more balanced reporting. Whether MSNBC can adapt to this reality and regain its footing remains to be seen, but one thing is clear, viewers are no longer willing to tolerate one-sided narratives disguised as news.

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