Report: Structural Changes Coming Soon To MSNBC

Rebecca Kutler, who was officially named president of MSNBC on February 12, 2025, after serving as interim president since January, is reportedly gearing up to unveil significant programming changes as early as next week. 

This development comes from posts on X by Dylan Byers of Puck News, who indicated that Kutler’s plans could be detailed in a subscriber-exclusive scoop, alongside insights from Variety reporting by Brian Steinberg. These changes mark her first major moves since taking the helm of the progressive cable news network, which is preparing for a spinoff from Comcast into a new entity called SpinCo, expected later in 2025.

Kutler, a seasoned news executive with over two decades of experience—most notably from her time at CNN before joining MSNBC in 2022 as Senior Vice President of Content Strategy—is poised to reshape the network’s lineup to adapt to shifting viewer habits and a challenging media landscape.

Rebecca Kutler

Sources suggest her strategy includes expanding the roles of key on-air talent. Specifically, former Biden White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki, who hosts Inside with Jen Psaki, and the trio from The Weekend—Symone Sanders-Townsend, Alicia Menendez, and Michael Steele—are slated for increased screen time. Psaki’s show, launched under Kutler’s oversight, and The Weekend, a Saturday and Sunday program, have been focal points of MSNBC’s recent efforts to bolster its daytime and weekend programming. 

These expansions aim to capitalize on their existing audience engagement amid a post-election ratings slump that saw MSNBC’s viewership drop 46% compared to the first 10 months of 2024, though it has begun to rebound.

Beyond talent adjustments, Kutler is reportedly exploring broader structural changes. Discussions within MSNBC have centered on hiring journalists from outlets like Politico to strengthen its reporting muscle, as well as elevating current contributors to anchor roles. 

This comes as the network faces the loss of NBC News’ extensive newsgathering resources post-spinoff, prompting Kutler to prioritize building an independent news operation. Posts on X also mention her plans to establish a new MSNBC bureau in Washington, D.C., signaling a physical and operational expansion to enhance coverage of the Trump administration, which began its second term in January 2025.

The timing of these changes aligns with a critical juncture for MSNBC. The return of Rachel Maddow to a five-night-per-week schedule at 9 p.m. ET during Trump’s first 100 days has already boosted ratings—the week of February 3 was the network’s highest-rated since Election Week.