MSNBC To Launch Two New Prime-Time Shows Next Week

MSNBC has announced premiere dates for its new primetime lineup, set to debut the week of May 5, 2025, as part of a broader schedule overhaul. 

The changes include new shows anchored by prominent figures, reflecting the network’s strategic shift to leverage high-profile talent and adapt to evolving viewer preferences.

 

New Primetime Shows and Premiere Dates:

The Weeknight Premiere Date: Monday, May 5, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. ET Hosted by the anchors of MSNBC’s weekend program The Weekend—Symone Sanders Townsend, Michael Steele, and Alicia Menendez—will occupy the 7:00 p.m. slot. The program is expected to build on the conversational, multi-perspective format of The Weekend, which has been praised for its diverse viewpoints. The move to primetime reflects MSNBC’s confidence in the trio’s ability to engage audiences during a high-visibility timeslot.

The Briefing with Jen Psaki Premiere Date: Tuesday, May 6, 2025, at 9:00 p.m. ET (airing Tuesday through Friday). Psaki, former White House Press Secretary under President Joe Biden, The Briefing will take over the 9:00 p.m. slot previously occupied by Alex Wagner Tonight. Psaki, who already anchors a Monday 8:00 p.m. show and hosts Inside with Jen Psaki on Sundays, brings her political expertise and insider perspective to primetime. The show is expected to offer sharp political commentary and interviews, leveraging Psaki’s experience in government and media.

 
Psaki’s move to the 9:00 p.m. slot coincides with Rachel Maddow returning to a once-weekly Monday schedule at 9:00 p.m., freeing up the Tuesday-through-Friday slot for Psaki. Alex Wagner will transition to a senior political analyst role, continuing to contribute to MSNBC’s coverage.

MSNBC’s primetime changes, outlined in a memo by network president Rebecca Kutler on February 24, 2025, aim to refresh the lineup amid competitive pressures and a shifting political landscape. The cancellation of The ReidOut and the reassignment of Alex Wagner signal a pivot toward new voices and formats.

 
The promotion of The Weekend anchors to The Weeknight and Psaki’s expanded role reflect MSNBC’s focus on personalities with established audience appeal and political credibility. This move may also be an effort to broaden the network’s ideological range, as Michael Steele (a former Republican National Committee chair) brings a conservative perspective to balance Sanders Townsend and Menendez.

Alongside the programming changes, MSNBC is establishing a new Washington, D.C., bureau with its own team of correspondents, signaling a commitment to robust political reporting. This infrastructure supports the new primetime shows, which will likely rely on on-the-ground reporting and insider analysis.