MSNBC has cut Rachel Maddow’s salary by $5 million as part of a broader reorganization within the network and parent company Comcast. The salary reduction follows a steep decline in ratings, particularly after President-elect Donald Trump’s victory, which has left the network grappling to retain viewers.
Maddow, who had previously earned $30 million annually, will now make $25 million over the next five years. Her role will remain largely the same, as she continues to host “The Rachel Maddow Show” on Mondays. However, Maddow will also take on new responsibilities, including producing podcasts and documentaries, in an effort to broaden her contributions to the network.
The situation at MSNBC continues to worsen as owner Comcast tries to rebrand the network following President Trump’s decisive win.
Rachel Maddow, the networks highest-paid propagandist, just had her salary cut by $5 million/yr for the next 5 years. pic.twitter.com/JPc7sSJKiT
— Bad Hombre (@joma_gc) November 21, 2024
The salary reduction comes amid Comcast’s decision to spin off several of its cable channels, including MSNBC, into a separate company by the end of next year. The move is part of a larger strategy to shift focus from traditional cable television to streaming services, which are increasingly seen as the future of the entertainment industry. The corporate shakeup is expected to lead to significant changes at MSNBC, including possible layoffs, rebranding efforts, and a new corporate structure.
MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow’s salary reportedly cut by $5M despite being ‘ratings Viagra’ – as parent company Comcast deals with ‘difficult time’ https://t.co/obA4hhLFPM pic.twitter.com/akXpAEbKQY
— New York Post (@nypost) November 21, 2024
Executives at MSNBC have defended Maddow’s value to the network, describing her as a “ratings Viagra” who is crucial to maintaining the brand’s presence in a competitive media landscape. Despite the criticism, Maddow remains one of the network’s top personalities, and plans are in place to feature her more prominently on other shows, particularly during breaking news coverage.
BREAKING: MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow has had her annual salary cut by $5 million, amid reports that network staffers are “in a panic” over the network’s future, according to a report. pic.twitter.com/1z0ANYoXcW
— Leading Report (@LeadingReport) November 22, 2024
MSNBC’s ratings have dropped significantly since the 2020 election, with reports showing a 54% decline in viewership since President-elect Trump’s victory. The network’s focus on liberal viewpoints, particularly regarding Kamala Harris, has been criticized for alienating viewers and creating a biased narrative. Some insiders believe that the network’s coverage became too insular, making it difficult to appeal to a broader audience.
As MSNBC works to navigate these challenges, its future programming and content strategy will be shaped by the changing media landscape, with a growing focus on digital platforms and streaming services.
