Honestly, if you haven’t checked your channel guide lately, the roster of female reporters on MSNBC—now officially under the "MS NOW" banner—looks a whole lot different than it did even a year ago. It’s been a wild ride. Between high-profile departures and the "New York Times-style" shift toward more deep-dive reporting, the women leading the network are navigating a media landscape that feels like it’s constantly being rewritten.
Remember when Joy Reid was the anchor of the 7 p.m. hour? That feels like a lifetime ago. After her exit in early 2025, the network didn't just fill her seat; they basically tore up the floorboards and started over.
The Primetime Power Shift
Let’s talk about the heavy hitters first. Rachel Maddow is still the north star of the network, but you’ve probably noticed she’s more of a special event these days. She stuck to her Monday-only schedule for The Rachel Maddow Show, which basically makes Monday nights the highest-rated block on the whole channel.
But the real story is Jen Psaki.
Since taking over the 9 p.m. slot Tuesday through Friday with The Briefing, Psaki has turned into the network's workhorse. It was a huge promotion from her Sunday morning roots. She’s managed to keep that "White House press room" energy—sharp, prepared, and occasionally a little bit snarky—which seems to be exactly what the audience wants right now.
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Then you have Nicolle Wallace. Her show Deadline: White House remains the massive four-o'clock anchor. She has this unique way of pulling in "disaffected Republicans" and seasoned journalists that nobody else really replicates. It’s essentially a two-hour masterclass in political forensics. Honestly, without Nicolle, the afternoon block would feel a lot less grounded.
The Dayside "MS NOW" Evolution
While primetime gets the most tweets, the daytime female reporters on MSNBC are the ones actually doing the heavy lifting of breaking news.
The lineup has been streamlined, and it's much more focused on specialized reporting now. Here’s a quick look at who is holding down the fort during the day:
- Ana Cabrera: She’s expanded into a two-hour block from 10 a.m. to noon. If you’re looking for straight-down-the-middle news without the heavy opinion tilt, Ana is usually the one people point to.
- Chris Jansing: A literal legend at the network. She took over the noon to 2 p.m. slot. Jansing has been in the trenches for decades, and you can tell—she doesn't get flustered, no matter how chaotic the breaking news is.
- Katy Tur: She’s now anchoring from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Katy has leaned heavily into the "Reports" format, often focusing on the intersection of policy and real-world impact rather than just the latest DC gossip.
It’s worth noting that the move to 229 West 43rd Street—the old New York Times building—has changed the "vibe" of these shows. They feel less like a flashy TV studio and more like a busy newsroom.
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What Happened to the Weekend Crew?
This is where things got really interesting in late 2025. Alicia Menendez made a massive jump. Along with Symone Sanders-Townsend and Michael Steele, her show The Weekend was so successful that they moved a version of it into the weekday lineup.
The Weeknight now airs in that 7 p.m. slot that used to be Joy Reid’s. It’s a bit of a gamble. Moving a multi-host, conversational format into a time slot usually reserved for a single "firebrand" anchor was a choice, but Alicia’s ability to bridge cultural commentary with hard politics has kept the ratings steady.
Meanwhile, Hallie Jackson has largely moved over to the NBC side of the house as the Sunday anchor for NBC Nightly News, though she still pops up on the digital-first "Hallie Jackson NOW" for those who prefer streaming.
Why This Lineup Matters Right Now
The current roster of female reporters on MSNBC isn't just about diversity numbers. It's about a specific type of expertise.
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The network has clearly decided that "shouting at the camera" is out, and "informed context" is in. Whether it’s Stephanie Ruhle breaking down the latest economic mess at 11 p.m. or Andrea Mitchell still providing that institutional memory that no one else has, there’s a sense that the network is betting on people who actually know how the gears of government turn.
There is, of course, a lot of criticism. Some regular viewers miss the high-octane energy of the 2020-2024 era. Others feel like the network has become a bit too "safe" under the new MS NOW branding. But if you look at the credentials of these women—former press secretaries, veteran foreign correspondents, and seasoned legal analysts—it's hard to argue with the depth of the talent pool.
How to Follow the New Schedule
If you’re trying to keep up with your favorite reporters, the best way is to look at the new block-programming schedule:
- Morning Foundation: Start with the "Reports" blocks (Cabrera, Jansing, Tur) for the most factual, least-opinionated version of the day's events.
- Evening Analysis: Tune in at 4 p.m. for Nicolle Wallace if you want the "how and why" behind the headlines.
- The New Primetime: If you’re a fan of the old ReidOut style, check out The Weeknight with Alicia Menendez at 7 p.m. for a more conversational take.
- Maddow Mondays: Keep your Mondays clear for the original deep-dive format.
The landscape of cable news is changing fast, and while some faces have moved on, the women currently at the helm of MSNBC are arguably some of the most experienced the network has ever had. It's less about the "punditry" now and much more about the "reportage," which, in 2026, is a welcome change for a lot of us.