Amid a tightening landscape for cable news, MSNBC host Joy Reid is expected to take a pay cut to remain at the network, according to reports. The decision comes as the network grapples with declining ratings and broader economic pressures affecting much of the media industry.
Reid, a prominent progressive voice and host of “The ReidOut,” reportedly earns around $3 million annually. Sources close to the situation suggest her contract renewal is contingent on a salary reduction. She joins a growing list of MSNBC anchors feeling the squeeze, including 11th Hour host Stephanie Ruhle, who is also expected to see her compensation cut, according to The Ankler. However, the financial belt-tightening extends beyond MSNBC.
Newsroom staff at rival networks like CNN, ABC, CBS, and NBC are bracing for additional layoffs as executives forecast further industry headwinds in the new year. Such moves come despite the networks’ reliance on high-profile talent to drive viewership.
Once buoyed by wall-to-wall political coverage during the Trump administration and the 2020 election, MSNBC, along with the other legacy networks mentioned, has struggled to maintain its audience amid a fragmented media landscape. On cable, ratings are plummeting across the board, with the exception of Fox