On the cold evening of February 24, 2025, the neon lights of Studio 3A at MSNBC flickered one final time as Joy-Ann Reid packed up her desk, unaware that her departure would not mark the end of her career—but the beginning of a media revolution that would reshape how America consumes political commentary. MSNBC, in what many are calling one of the most reckless decisions in cable news history, fired Reid, a renowned journalist and the first Black woman to host a primetime cable news show. However, little did they know—by letting her go, they were paving the way for a seismic shift in the media landscape.

The Fateful Day: MSNBC’s Shocking Decision

The day that sent shockwaves through the entire media world was February 24, 2025. A memo from Rebecca Kutler, MSNBC’s new president, announced the cancellation of The ReidOut—Reid’s hit primetime show that had dominated the cable news scene for five years. The decision, made as part of a broader restructuring of the network amidst plummeting ratings, left everyone stunned. The ReidOut had become a prime-time staple, and Reid had earned a reputation for her unflinching commitment to controversial topics and strong social commentary. But her tenure at MSNBC was coming to a close. With dwindling ratings and waning influence in the coveted 25-54 demographic, the network chose to axe one of its brightest stars.

In an instant, Reid’s firing became the media equivalent of an earthquake. While the mainstream media scrambled to cover the story, one thing was clear—Reid wasn’t just another TV host. She was a media mogul in the making, and her departure from MSNBC was far from the end.

The Backlash: The Internet Explodes

The response to Reid’s firing was swift and brutal. Twitter and social media exploded with hashtags like #BringBackJoy, calling out MSNBC for its tone-deaf decision. Even Rachel Maddow, MSNBC’s biggest star, weighed in, calling Reid’s firing “inexcusable” and a “terrible mistake.” Yet, while the media world rallied behind Reid, she wasn’t sulking in defeat—she was plotting her next move.

In a private Zoom call with the Win With Black Women organization, Reid expressed both anger and disappointment, but what stood out was her resolve. “I don’t regret supporting Black Lives Matter. I don’t regret speaking out against the war in Gaza. I won’t apologize for being who I am.” Reid’s words were not the words of someone defeated; they were the words of a woman preparing to rise from the ashes of her dismissal and take the world by storm.

The Secret Weapon: Image Lab Media Group

Unbeknownst to the network executives who thought they were dismantling her career, Reid had been quietly building something monumental in the background. Since 2005, she had co-founded Image Lab Media Group, a production company with her husband Jason Reid. The company had been producing Emmy-nominated documentaries and building connections in the industry for years, setting the stage for the next chapter in Reid’s career. So, when MSNBC let her go, Reid didn’t just have a backup plan—she had a fully operational media empire ready to launch.

The Substack Phenomenon: A New Kind of Connection

One week after her MSNBC departure, Reid made a move that would change everything. She launched her own Substack newsletter. Within months, Reid had amassed over 160,000 paying subscribers. It wasn’t just about creating a mailing list—it was about building a community. In the digital age, authenticity trumps authority, and Reid understood that more than anyone. Unlike traditional media, where personalities are controlled by corporate interests, Reid created a space where she could directly engage with her audience, bypassing the filter of network executives. The trust she built with her subscribers quickly translated into something far more significant than any TV contract: direct access to her audience.

The Game-Changer: Launching “The Joy Reid Show”

But Reid wasn’t done yet. On June 9, 2025, at exactly 12:01 PM Eastern, Reid unleashed her new show: The Joy Reid Show—a multimedia experience that was more than just a podcast. Streaming across YouTube and podcast platforms, Reid’s debut episode was a game-changer. It was raw, it was real, and it was unapologetically unfiltered. The episode featured Amber Ruffin, the comedian blacklisted from the White House Correspondents’ Dinner for her outspoken critiques of Trump. The message was clear: The Joy Reid Show was going to be the polar opposite of sanitized, corporate-approved commentary.

Reid’s show wasn’t just about delivering the news—it was about engaging with her audience in ways that traditional media never could. Segments like “Freestyle Fridays” allowed her to engage directly with her audience, creating an interactive experience that felt more like an intimate conversation than a scripted show. The format was fresh, innovative, and resonated deeply with audiences. It was media for the people, by the people.

The Numbers Don’t Lie: Streaming Domination

By the end of 2025, Reid’s show had become a force to be reckoned with. As traditional cable TV continued to decline, streaming services surged to dominate the market, capturing 44.8% of total viewing time by May 2025. Reid, with her focus on digital-first content, was ahead of the curve. The Joy Reid Show skyrocketed on streaming platforms, and her Substack had reached over 5 million subscribers—an audience that was loyal, engaged, and, most importantly, growing. She wasn’t just building a media empire; she was leading the charge for a new era in digital media.

The Ripple Effect: A New Era for Journalists

Reid’s rise was part of a broader trend in the media industry. High-profile journalists who were disillusioned with traditional networks began to follow in her footsteps. Jim Acosta left CNN, Mehdi Hasan launched his own independent platform, and many others realized they could build their own brands rather than remain shackled by corporate networks. Reid had shown them the way: by embracing digital-first platforms and forging direct connections with their audiences, they too could be free from the constraints of corporate media.

A Cultural Impact: Changing the Conversation

Reid’s success wasn’t just about numbers—it was about cultural impact. As a Black woman in a media landscape that had long marginalized voices like hers, her success sent a powerful message: people were hungry for content that wasn’t filtered through corporate sensibilities. Her platform became a space for underrepresented voices to share their perspectives, from racial justice to international affairs, and it reshaped the discourse in ways that corporate networks had failed to do.

The Future of Media: Beyond Legacy Networks

Looking ahead, Reid’s story is a preview of the future of media. In an industry dominated by corporate-backed giants, she proved that with authenticity, strategic thinking, and a willingness to take risks, independent creators can build something far more powerful than any network. Reid is now laying the groundwork to expand her reach, with plans for new documentary content, a five-day-a-week show, and even more interactive segments.

The future of media isn’t controlled by the suits in corporate offices—it’s in the hands of those with a direct connection to their audience. And Joy-Ann Reid? She’s leading the charge.