Former CBS VP Speculates on the Dramatic Resignation of MSNBC President

Rashida Jones, who made history as the first Black woman to lead a major cable news network, has officially stepped down as president of MSNBC. Appointed in February 2021, her leadership tenure saw both significant achievements and notable challenges. Under her direction, MSNBC consistently outpaced CNN in ratings, maintaining its status as the second-most-watched cable news network, trailing only Fox News. However, the network also experienced a substantial decline in viewership, particularly after Donald Trump’s election, with ratings reportedly dropping by 57%.

Her resignation coincides with broader changes at Comcast, MSNBC’s parent company, which is preparing to merge its cable TV networks, including MSNBC, into a new entity called SpinCo. Rebecca Kutler, the network’s Senior Vice President of Content Strategy, will temporarily step into the role of interim president. Kutler, who joined MSNBC in 2022 after a long tenure at CNN, has been a key figure in boosting the network’s digital presence and launching high-profile programming.

During Jones’s leadership, MSNBC navigated various internal and external challenges. These included controversies like the hiring and later reversal of Ronna McDaniel as a contributor, along with adapting to shifts in the political and media landscapes. As the network moves forward, it plans to capitalize on significant upcoming events, including Rachel Maddow’s return to hosting five nights a week during the early days of the next administration—an initiative anticipated to drive viewership.