Grim Milestone: MSNBC Ratings Tank to Near-Decade Low

Daniel Doherty | February 07, 2015 9:00 AM

This latest batch of bad news for MSNBC is a few days old but worth flagging nonetheless. Politico broke down the numbers:

MSNBC registered its lowest full-day rating in nearly a decade on Tuesday, a devastatingly low benchmark that shows just how severe the network's decline has become.

The liberal cable news network drew an average of 55,000 viewers in the all-important 25-to-54 year-old demo on Tuesday, its lowest full-day rating since July 2005, according to Nielsen ratings provided by an industry source. CNN had nearly three times as many viewers in the demo; Fox News nearly five times as many.

It’s no secret that the network has been struggling to attract and keep viewers. It’s been that way for a while now. Still, The Daily Caller reports that the lost ratings are forcing the network to make some really tough choices. Really tough (via Jazz Shaw):

Considering a number of their shows are unwatchable — here’s looking at you Chris Hayes and Joy Reid — it’s painfully obvious that MSNBC’s lineup is in need of a serious makeover.

According to TheWrap, Hayes’ crappy ratings are even bringing down those of his TV mentor, Rachel Maddow. Let’s just say Hayes as a lead-in is less than inspiring. His innate preachiness even less so.

MSNBC President Phil Griffin is on the verge of making serious changes to daytime and primetime programs. Those reportedly in trouble include Hayes, who could see his 8 p.m. time slot nixed, Ronan Farrow (whose show is actually fun to hate watch), and the aforementioned Reid.

Click through to look more closely at MSNBC's abysmal ratings on Feb. 4th.

One question to think about, however, is why is MSNBC struggling so much? I’m not entirely sure but perhaps one reason is because the network has lost all credibility after hiring foul-mouthed anchors and truly unhinged contributors. Perhaps these outbursts have exposed the network for what it is. What’s more, recent polls show that the network is exceedingly untrustworthy. And while polls tend to vary about the reliability of the network’s chief competitor, stunts like these aren't helping MSNBC appear more moderate or mainstream.