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MSNBC’s Ratings Slump Prompts Pay Cut for Rachel Maddow
Amidst dwindling viewership and potential restructuring at NBCUniversal, MSNBC’s leading anchor Rachel Maddow has reportedly agreed to a lower salary. According to an emerging report on Thursday, Maddow has renegotiated her contract, resulting in a $5 million annual pay cut.
The Daily Beast cited sources claiming that Maddow’s previous deal netted her $30 million, but she will now earn $25 million. While network sources refuted the exact figures as “not accurate,” they did not provide an alternative amount to The Daily Beast.
Bill O’Reilly explains why NBC is dumping MSNBC and ABC will be dumping The View next.
Rachel Maddow has already taken a $5 million pay cut on MSNBC.
Expect to see much more defunding of the activist shows.pic.twitter.com/EnVId29puR
— Paul A. Szypula 🇺🇸 (@Bubblebathgirl) November 22, 2024
This development coincides with Nielsen data indicating that MSNBC’s ratings have plummeted to 40 percent of last year’s levels following Donald Trump’s electoral victory. Although executives anticipate a potential viewership rebound once Trump’s administration takes office, NBCUniversal’s parent company Comcast is considering divesting its cable assets, which have weighed on its stock performance.
The Ankler newsletter further noted, “Viewership is in revolt and two of MSNBC’s iconic faces, Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski, are accused of destroying their anti-Trump cred by traveling to Mar-a-Lago to meet with the president-elect.”
“MSNBC’s Joe Scarborough and Mika went to Mar-a-Lago to meet with Trump and agreed to “reset” their relationship.”
“Once again… Democrats never actually thought Trump was Hitler or a fascist dictator. If you were propagandized, it’s ok. You got played.”
This situation presents a dilemma for MSNBC, which needs to cut costs while retaining its biggest star. One executive told The Ankler, “This is a difficult time and they needed to keep her. No one else can do what she does. You can’t build a brand like it overnight.” Another called Maddow “ratings Viagra” and said she would be utilized as a “special weapon” across various programs, particularly for breaking news coverage.
However, an MSNBC insider acknowledged that the network had become an “echo chamber” and a “safe space for a liberal TV audience,” making it challenging to integrate conservative voices. “We were so Harris propaganda that when she lost, viewers were shocked,” an anonymous on-air pundit told The Ankler. “It turned into one giant circle j*** and echo chamber. If MSNBC wants to be of service to its viewers, they can’t keep them in fantasy land.”
Joe Rogan says he would like to have Rachel Maddow’s job if Elon Musk buys MSNBC.
Rogan says he will wear the same outfit, glasses and will tell the same lies.
The comment came in response to Musk flirting with the idea of buying the far-left media outlet. pic.twitter.com/cNNT73YA2g
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) November 22, 2024
One producer expressed uncertainty about featuring Trump’s appointees, stating, “I don’t know if having these people on would put any useful information out.”
Nevertheless, with this mindset, the network’s struggles are likely to persist. As Maddow accepts a pay cut due to declining viewership, lesser-known talent may face even greater challenges.
