The Leftist news outlet is in deep trouble. It’ll be hard for them to recover from this.
And MSNBC erupts into flames over this unthinkable disaster.
Jen Psaki’s MSNBC Show Struggles to Retain Viewers in Prime Time Slot
Jen Psaki, once a prominent figure in the Biden administration, has stepped into the spotlight as the host of MSNBC’s new prime time program, The Briefing. Airing Tuesday through Friday at 9 p.m., the show has taken over the slot previously occupied by The Rachel Maddow Show, which now runs only on Mondays. While Psaki’s debut showed promise, the sharp decline in viewership by the second episode raises questions about the show’s staying power.
On its premiere Tuesday, The Briefing drew an impressive 1.2 million viewers, including 139,000 in the critical 25-54 age demographic. However, the following night saw a significant drop, with total viewership falling to 1 million and just 65,000 viewers in the coveted demographic, per Fox News. To put this in perspective, Fox News’ Sean Hannity commanded 2.64 million viewers and 312,000 in the same demographic on Tuesday, while CNN’s Kaitlan Collins attracted 468,000 total viewers and 75,000 in the 25-54 age group.
Psaki, who left her role as White House press secretary in 2022, initially joined MSNBC to host Inside with Jen Psaki on Sundays. Her move to the high-profile 9 p.m. slot was a bold step, endorsed by Rachel Maddow herself.
Maddow praised Psaki’s ability to connect with audiences, telling People, “The thing she has which I do not have, which is going to make 9 o’clock better with Jen Psaki than it is with Rachel Maddow, is that she both knows people and knows how to talk to people.” Maddow, who described herself as a “weird little hermit” with limited Washington connections, expressed confidence in Psaki’s potential to outshine her own performance.
Yet, Maddow’s track record in the same slot tells a different story. During her tenure, she averaged 1.9 million total viewers and 141,000 in the 25-54 demographic, according to Fox.
Psaki’s Wednesday episode marked a steep decline, with a 46% drop in total viewers and a 54% decrease in the key demographic compared to Maddow’s averages. Alarmingly, the episode trailed behind reruns of classic sitcoms like Friends, Seinfeld, Everybody Loves Raymond, Bob’s Burgers, and That 70s Show, as well as the children’s show Paw Patrol, per Fox reports.
A vocal critic of President Trump, Psaki has used her platform to challenge his policies and leadership. In a recent Rolling Stone interview, she described his second term as “the most dangerous presidency in my lifetime,” emphasizing that it’s “not just because of what he’s doing day to day, but because his desire seems to be to reshape how our government works, how our system works, to impact things for decades to come.”
On The Briefing, Psaki aims to amplify new Democratic voices, such as Rep. Greg Casar, Rep. Maxwell Frost, and Michigan state Sen. Mallory McMorrow, whom she sees as the “next generation of leaders” for the party.
Despite her ambitious vision, Psaki’s early ratings suggest a struggle to capture the audience that once flocked to Maddow. The sharp dip in viewership, particularly among younger viewers, could signal challenges ahead for the former press secretary as she seeks to establish herself in the competitive world of prime time cable news.
A Growing Distrust in Left-Leaning Media
Psaki’s viewership woes come at a time when many Americans are turning away from outlets like MSNBC, reflecting a deeper erosion of trust in left-leaning media.
Polls consistently show declining confidence in traditional news sources. This skepticism is particularly pronounced among conservatives and independents, who often perceive networks like MSNBC as overly aligned with Democratic talking points.
The perception of bias has fueled a shift toward alternative platforms, including social media and independent outlets. On platforms like X, users frequently critique MSNBC and similar networks for what they see as selective reporting or framing that prioritizes narrative over facts.
This distrust is compounded by high-profile missteps, such as the media’s handling of controversial issues or perceived failures to hold powerful figures accountable, which have left many viewers seeking unfiltered perspectives elsewhere.
For Psaki, a former political operative now navigating the media landscape, these dynamics present an additional hurdle. Her association with the Biden administration and her outspoken criticism of Trump may resonate with MSNBC’s core audience but risk alienating viewers who feel disillusioned by partisan rhetoric.
As Americans increasingly demand transparency and authenticity, Psaki’s ability to connect with a skeptical public will be crucial to reversing her show’s early ratings slide.
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