Fri Feb 28 18:30:00 UTC 2025: **MSNBC Shake-Up Leaves Dozens of Producers Jobless Amidst Criticism from Rachel Maddow**
NEW YORK – MSNBC is facing criticism and upheaval following a programming overhaul that has resulted in the dismissal of a significant number of producers from several prime-time shows. The network informed staff working on the shows hosted by Rachel Maddow, Joy Reid, Katie Phang, Jonathan Capehart, Ayman Mohyeldin, and José Díaz-Balart that they would be let go, with the option to reapply for different roles.
While top anchor Rachel Maddow will retain some key personnel, the majority of her team, along with those from the other canceled shows, were given the choice between severance and reapplying. This approach, described as unprecedented in scale at MSNBC, has sparked internal concern. Sources indicate that the changes are linked to cost-cutting measures following NBCUniversal’s spin-off of the network and the need to reallocate resources for new programming initiatives. Concerns have been raised regarding potential job relocation from Washington D.C. to New York, where lower union pay rates apply.
The restructuring comes amidst a broader industry downturn, with CNN recently announcing 200 layoffs. MSNBC president Rebecca Kutler reportedly assured affected staff that over 100 new positions would be posted, stating that the network aims to increase its overall employee count in six months.
However, Maddow publicly criticized the network’s handling of the situation during her Monday night show, expressing concern for the producers facing potential unemployment and the process of reapplying for roles they already filled. She specifically called the cancellation of Joy Reid’s show a “bad mistake,” highlighting the fact that both prime-time non-white hosts lost their programs, a situation she labeled “indefensible.” Maddow’s remarks underscore growing internal dissent over the network’s restructuring and its potential impact on staff morale and diversity.
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