Despite Dramatic Changes at MSNBC, Two of Its Biggest Stars, Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski, Defy the Odds and Keep Their Positions Amidst the Shakeup

Amid a seismic shakeup at MSNBC, two of the network’s most familiar faces, Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski, have defied expectations and remained firmly in their roles despite significant ratings declines. As MSNBC works to address slumping numbers, the future of several high-profile hosts has come into question, but Scarborough and Brzezinski’s place on the network is secure.

In recent months, MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” has experienced a major dip in viewership. Nielsen ratings show a staggering 40 percent decline in the show’s audience since the 2020 Presidential election, a significant blow for a flagship program. The number of total viewers has plummeted from 1.1 million to just 651,000. Even more concerning for advertisers, the key demographic of viewers aged 25 to 54 has dropped by more than half, from 123,000 to just 67,000. In comparison, Fox News’ “Fox & Friends” has seen a surge, attracting an average of 1.5 million viewers in the same timeslot.

However, despite these concerning figures, Scarborough and Brzezinski’s roles remain secure. MSNBC spokesperson Richard Hudock assured, “Joe and Mika are categorically not going anywhere. Nothing here. Full stop.” This statement came as a surprise to many who feared that their political leanings and perceived ties to the Trump administration might have put them in the crosshairs of the network’s leadership amid the restructuring efforts. In fact, the couple’s controversial visit to Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort after the 2016 election sparked backlash from both conservatives and liberals, making them a target of criticism.

Despite the controversies and the declining viewership, “Morning Joe” has managed to maintain an audience larger than its liberal counterparts at CNN. Moreover, MSNBC has managed to increase its viewership slightly since the inauguration of President Biden, with total viewers increasing by 17 percent, and a 24 percent jump in the coveted 25 to 54 demographic.

The shakeup at MSNBC, which comes under new leadership from President Rebecca Kutler, includes major programming changes across the network. These changes have been set in motion after the network’s ratings slipped further and after the firing of Joy Reid, which stirred controversy. Reid’s departure, coupled with the cancellation of several other shows, has intensified discussions about the future direction of MSNBC.

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Meanwhile, Rachel Maddow, MSNBC’s top star, has also expressed her concerns about the changes. Maddow’s criticism came on the heels of the firing of Reid, along with the network’s decision to remove other non-white anchors from prime-time slots. Maddow voiced her frustration, saying it felt “indefensible” that two non-white anchors were losing their shows, further complicating the network’s efforts to balance diversity with programming strategy.

Despite the challenges, the continued presence of Scarborough and Brzezinski on “Morning Joe” highlights the resilience of the long-running program. In a time of major change for the network, their longevity and unwavering popularity, despite declining ratings, signal their continued importance in MSNBC’s plans moving forward.

As the network navigates these challenging waters, it remains to be seen how it will adjust its strategy to maintain relevance and boost its ratings. But for now, Joe and Mika remain two unshakable pillars of MSNBC’s programming.