Election Day brought a stark reality check for MSNBC. The liberal-leaning network, known for its fervent opposition to Donald Trump, spent months portraying Vice President Kamala Harris as an unbeatable candidate. Anchors like Rachel Maddow and Lawrence O’Donnell assured viewers that Harris’s victory was all but inevitable. Yet, when the votes were tallied, Donald Trump not only claimed a resounding victory in the Electoral College but also secured the popular vote.
For MSNBC, this wasn’t just a political loss—it was a credibility crisis. Their months of biased reporting and overconfidence in Harris’s campaign were laid bare for all to see. How can viewers trust a network that got it so wrong?
Now, MSNBC finds itself in uncharted waters, facing not only reputational damage but also looming business challenges. Comcast, MSNBC’s parent company, recently approved a $7 billion spinoff of NBCUniversal’s cable channels, a move that could result in major changes for the network.
A Shift in Identity
The potential consequences of this spinoff have sent shockwaves through MSNBC. According to Variety, NBCUniversal Media Group Chairman Mark Lazarus suggested during a staff meeting that MSNBC might need to consider a rebrand, including a possible name change. With the network no longer directly tied to NBC News and CNBC, questions about its future identity and branding have surfaced.
This uncertainty has left MSNBC employees on edge. The network has long relied on shared resources with NBC and CNBC, and losing that connection could further erode its standing in an increasingly competitive market.
Ratings in Freefall
Compounding the turmoil is MSNBC’s alarming decline in viewership. Between 2023 and 2025, the network is expected to lose 10.5% of its subscribers, dropping to an estimated 61.3 million viewers by the end of 2025—down from 68.5 million in 2023. Even in a high-stakes election year, which typically draws viewers back to cable news, MSNBC failed to capitalize on the political drama.
Meanwhile, over at Fox News, it’s a different story. Fox continues to dominate the cable news landscape, recently achieving its highest audience share in the network’s 28-year history. During the week of November 11-17, Fox posted record-breaking ratings, while MSNBC suffered its lowest-rated week in over 25 years.
A Referendum on Liberal Media
The 2024 election wasn’t just a blow to the Democratic Party—it was a rejection of the liberal agenda championed by networks like MSNBC. With Republicans taking the presidency, the Senate, and the House, voters sent a clear message: they’re tired of partisan media and out-of-touch elites.
For years, MSNBC has been at the forefront of the liberal media’s relentless attacks on Trump and conservative values. But this election cycle proved that Americans are no longer buying what they’re selling. Voters turned their backs on the woke narratives and fearmongering that have defined MSNBC’s programming.
The Road Ahead
MSNBC now faces a critical juncture. Its viewership is dwindling, its credibility is in tatters, and its future identity is uncertain. The network’s pivot away from reality and toward partisan activism has alienated viewers, leaving it struggling to find relevance in a shifting media landscape.
As Fox News celebrates its dominance, MSNBC must grapple with the consequences of its choices. The American people have made their stance clear, and MSNBC’s failure to adapt could spell disaster for the once-prominent network.