Joy Reid Ratings Crisis: 5 Shocking Factors That Led To The ReidOut's Sudden Departure

The landscape of cable news has undergone a seismic shift in late 2025, and few stories are as contentious as the dramatic ratings trajectory of Joy Reid’s MSNBC program, The ReidOut. As of this current date, December 18, 2025, the conversation surrounding her viewership performance and subsequent departure from the 7 PM ET slot remains a lightning rod for media critics and political commentators alike, with conflicting reports on whether her exit was a cancellation or a planned move.

The core of the controversy centers on a sharp decline in viewership from the program’s peak, an issue compounded by MSNBC’s broader struggle to maintain audience share against competitors like Fox News. While specific daily ratings fluctuated wildly—at one point surging to 1.69 million total viewers on February 24, 2025—the long-term trend showed a significant erosion, particularly in the coveted A25-54 demographic, raising serious questions about the show's viability in a post-election news cycle.

Journalist and Political Commentator: Joy Reid's Complete Profile

Joy-Ann M. Lomena-Reid (née Lomena) is a prominent American political commentator, author, and television host, known for her progressive analysis and sharp commentary on US politics.

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• Full Name: Joy-Ann M. Lomena-Reid
• Born: December 8, 1968
• Place of Birth: Brooklyn, New York
• Education: Harvard University (B.A. in Visual Arts); Syracuse University (Masters in Broadcast Journalism, though she left early to pursue a career)
• Journalism Debut: 1997, working as an anchor at WSVN, Channel 7, and the CBS Morning Show in Miami, Florida.
• Career Highlights: Host of MSNBC's The Reid Report (2014-2015); National Correspondent for MSNBC; Host of AM Joy (2016-2020); Host of The ReidOut (2020-2025).
• Historical Significance: Her role as host of The ReidOut established her as the first Black woman to host a primetime cable news show on a major network.
• Family Background: Daughter of immigrants who met at the University of Iowa; her mother was from the former Belgian Congo (now Democratic Republic of the Congo), and her father was from Guyana.

The Ratings Rollercoaster: From Peak Viewership to a Dramatic 2025 Decline

The performance of The ReidOut was a classic example of a show whose fortunes were inextricably tied to the political climate. Its ratings trajectory can be broken down into three distinct phases.

Phase 1: The 2020 Election Boom and Initial Success

When The ReidOut premiered in July 2020, replacing Hardball with Chris Matthews, it capitalized on the intense political engagement leading up to the presidential election. During this period, Joy Reid averaged close to 3 million viewers, cementing her status as a major player in the cable news landscape.

Phase 2: The Post-Election Viewership Tumble

As the election cycle ended, cable news networks across the board saw a decline, but The ReidOut experienced a particularly steep drop. By the 2024 election cycle, her viewership had fallen significantly, averaging between 1.1 and 1.4 million.

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Phase 3: The Critical 2025 Figures and Departure

The year 2025 proved to be the most challenging. While a single-day spike saw The ReidOut hit 1.69 million total viewers in February 2025, the overall trend was negative. Reports indicate that by late 2025, her average viewership had dipped below a million, a figure considered below average for a primetime slot on a major cable news network.

This decline was set against a backdrop of wider network struggles. Fox News consistently crushed the competition in 2025, dominating primetime with high viewership numbers, while MSNBC and CNN experienced historic lows in certain quarters. This intense competitive pressure amplified the scrutiny on Reid's numbers.

The 5 Key Factors Behind the Ratings Controversy and Departure

The narrative of Joy Reid’s exit from the 7 PM slot is not simply about raw numbers; it involves a complex interplay of network strategy, demographic shifts, and on-air controversies.

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1. The Crucial A25-54 Demographic Performance

While total viewership is important, the A25-54 demographic (adults aged 25–54) is the primary metric for advertisers. This is where The ReidOut struggled most consistently. Although MSNBC did manage to top CNN in this demo at 7 PM for the first time on certain dates in 2025, the overall performance was volatile. A consistent failure to deliver high numbers in this key demographic makes a show financially less attractive to the network.

2. The "Axed" vs. "Departure" Narrative

Conflicting reports emerged regarding her exit. One report suggested the show was "axed" due to a "dramatic drop in ratings." Conversely, Reid herself has been involved in public disputes, notably with Stephen A. Smith, who framed her move from MSNBC as a "failure of ratings," which she publicly disputed. This public back-and-forth highlights the sensitivity surrounding the true reason for the change.

3. The Black Viewers Rally and Demographic Loyalty

One unique aspect of The ReidOut's viewership was its strong connection with Black audiences. Data indicated a consistent rally of Black viewers around Joy Reid, suggesting she commanded a highly engaged and loyal, albeit specific, demographic. This loyalty, however, was not always enough to offset losses in the broader total viewership market.

4. The Post-ReidOut Ratings Slump

The immediate aftermath of Joy Reid's final show provided a strong argument for her value to the network. Following her departure, the 7 PM ET hour, which was taken over by Michael Steele, reportedly saw its ratings crash. While other MSNBC shows maintained viewership above one million, the 7 PM slot struggled, suggesting that Reid’s specific brand of commentary was a significant draw for her time slot, despite the overall decline.

5. Compensation and Internal Network Dynamics

A separate but highly relevant controversy involves claims by Joy Reid that she was paid less than other MSNBC hosts, even those with "lower ratings." This suggests internal network dynamics and perceived value played a role in her career decisions and the network's commitment to the show. The issue of equitable compensation adds another layer to the complex story of her tenure.

The Future of MSNBC's 7 PM Slot and Cable News Competition

The ratings performance of the 7 PM hour post-Joy Reid is now a critical point of analysis for MSNBC's overall strategy. The network's decision to shift its lineup reflects a continuous effort to capture a more stable and advertiser-friendly audience in a highly fragmented media environment. The challenge remains significant, as competitors like Fox News continue to set record-breaking non-election year ratings in 2025, often averaging over 2.7 million primetime viewers.

The ongoing struggle of the 7 PM slot demonstrates the difficulty of replacing a known, if controversial, commodity. The entities involved—from MSNBC executives to competing hosts like Rachel Maddow (who has seen her own shifts) and the hosts on Fox News—are all part of a fierce battle for audience attention. The story of Joy Reid’s ratings is, therefore, a microcosm of the larger, volatile state of cable news in late 2025, where high-profile hosts face intense pressure to deliver consistent, top-tier viewership numbers.