MSNBC’s new 9 PM show, hosted by former Biden White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki, struggled to capture viewers after a promising premiere, highlighting ongoing challenges for the network in attracting audiences.
On her first night, Psaki drew 1.2 million total viewers and 139,000 in the key 25-54 demographic coveted by advertisers. However, her second episode saw a sharp drop, falling to just over one million viewers and only 65,000 in the same age group. For comparison, Rachel Maddow, who previously held the 9 PM slot, drew 1.9 million viewers and 141,000 in the key demographic during the same period.
The decline represents a 46% drop in total viewers and a 54% drop in the critical demographic compared with Maddow’s numbers. Competing cable programs outperformed Psaki’s show, including 13 CNN programs and all Fox News shows in the same timeslot.
Even reruns of basic cable favorites like Friends, Seinfeld, Bob’s Burgers, Paw Patrol, and Reba attracted more viewers than Psaki’s program, marking it as the lowest-rated 9 PM show for MSNBC in the key demographic on a Wednesday since Alex Wagner’s performance in December 2024.
