Rashida Jones is stepping down as president of MSNBC as the network braces for its impending separation from Comcast. According to reports, Jones, who has been with the company for 11 years, announced her departure during a staff meeting on Tuesday morning. Addressing her colleagues, she shared, “I’m really excited about what we’ve done. I’m excited about what’s next. I’m excited about what you guys are going to do next. I’m excited to watch it from afar, but I’m really excited that this is the right time for me.”
Mark Lazarus, who is steering the spinoff of Comcast’s cable assets, confirmed that Jones would assist in a transition period. Rebecca Kutler, Senior Vice President of Content Strategy, will step in as interim president. Lazarus assured staff that MSNBC would retain its name post-spinoff and praised Jones for her leadership during challenging news cycles. “Rashida has expertly navigated MSNBC through a years-long, unrelenting and unprecedented news cycle, all while driving the network to record viewership and making investments in nonlinear businesses,” he said in a memo.
Jones, who became president in February 2021, leaves behind a legacy of notable achievements and challenges. Her tenure saw MSNBC surpassing CNN in ratings during major news events, despite a viewership dip following the 2024 election. The network anticipates a resurgence after Trump’s inauguration, with Rachel Maddow returning to a full five-night schedule during the initial 100 days of the new presidency.
One of Jones’ notable hurdles was adjusting to Maddow’s reduced schedule after her 2021 agreement, leading to Alex Wagner hosting four nights a week. Despite the changes, MSNBC has maintained competitive ratings. Jones also expanded the network’s programming with new personalities like Jen Psaki and extended shows such as “Morning Joe” and “Deadline: White House.”
During her leadership, Jones dealt with internal challenges, including backlash over the hiring of former RNC chair Ronna McDaniel and criticism faced by “Morning Joe” hosts for their post-election meeting with Trump. Maddow praised Jones for fostering a respectful and supportive workplace culture, stating, “It means knowing that the person at the top is listening to us and is a colleague but is also apart from us.”
As MSNBC navigates its transition from Comcast, the network faces the added challenge of enhancing its streaming offerings to keep pace with shifting viewer habits. With shows available on NBCU’s Peacock platform and significant investment in NBC News Now, the network is gearing up for its next chapter under new leadership.
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