Rachel Maddow is set to return to her nightly hosting role on MSNBC, at least during the initial months of the second Trump administration. The network announced that Maddow will spearhead its coverage of Trump's inauguration on January 20, 2025. Following this, she will re-launch her prime-time show at 9 p.m. Eastern, airing five nights a week starting that evening.
This new schedule is temporary and will last until April 30, 2025. After this date, Maddow is expected to revert to her previous format of hosting only on Mondays. Meanwhile, Alex Wagner will fill in the slots from Tuesday to Friday. Wagner, in her new role, will also undertake various reporting assignments during the first 100 days of the new administration.
Maddow stepped back from her rigorous five-night-a-week schedule in 2022 under a new contract that offers her greater flexibility, allowing her to engage in diverse projects, including a successful series of podcasts. Despite her limited hours on television, Maddow continues to represent MSNBC’s signature personality and remains its most popular host, boasting an average of 2.5 million viewers on Mondays. This viewership rises significantly when including time-shifted audiences, with an additional 866,000 viewers adding to her numbers throughout the week, as reported by Nielsen.
In conjunction with her role as the host of her show, Maddow will also take the lead as anchor for MSNBC’s coverage of Trump’s inauguration, beginning coverage at 10 a.m. Eastern on the day of the event. The network has faced substantial challenges, particularly a significant decline in viewership, following Trump’s victory in the November election. MSNBC is now evaluating whether it can once again become a prime destination for viewers opposing Trump.
Network representatives argue that post-election slumps are typically observed in networks with audiences chiefly comprised of supporters of the defeated candidate. They have noted a gradual return of viewers, with Maddow's viewership last Monday reaching 1.6 million, representing a 20 percent increase compared to the averages recorded in November and December.
The current landscape reflects the shifting dynamics in American politics and media consumption, particularly as audiences respond to developments and events surrounding the Trump administration. Maddow’s return and heightened visibility during this pivotal time could signal a renewed interest in political commentary and analysis among her followers and the broader MSNBC audience.
