What Should Former MSNBC President Rashida Jones Do Next?
Source: KENA BETANCUR / Getty
Rashida Jones, the president of MSNBC, is stepping down after an incredible four-year run at the news network, according to NBC News.
Jones took over as president of MSNBC in February 2021, making history as the first Black executive to lead a major cable news network. Her appointment came during a pivotal time in American politics, following President Joe Biden’s inauguration and the Jan. 6 Capitol riots. Succeeding longtime president Phil Griffin, Jones went on to guide MSNBC to significant ratings victories during major political events. Under her leadership, the network expanded its reach beyond traditional programming, venturing into podcasts, documentary films, and live events while working to diversify its content offerings.
“After four incredible years at the helm of MSNBC and 11 years at NBCU, I have made the decision to pursue new opportunities,” Jones shared with staffers during a meeting on Jan. 14, according to the Hollywood Reporter.
“I shared this decision with Mark, who has been incredibly supportive and has asked me to stay on for the next few months to help guide the network during this transitional period.”
Jones said she came to the tough decision over the holidays while “reflecting” on her “remarkable journey” and “successes” at the network. Per NBC News, those huge milestones include securing long-term deals with the network’s top talent, including Rachel Maddow, and expanding MSNBC’s reach by launching a live event series. The top exec also revamped the news site’s mobile app, introduced a premium subscription service, and invested heavily in the network’s digital initiatives.
While MSNBC has faced a ratings decline post-election, it still finished the previous year as the second-highest-rated cable network, with an average of 807,000 daily viewers and 1.3 million viewers during prime time.
“This has been the most rewarding chapter of my professional career and I am immensely proud of what we have accomplished, which has been made possible only by you,” Jones added during her meeting with staff Tuesday.
The network titan will remain onboard until March in an advisory role to oversee the transition of Rebecca Kutler, who has been named interim president of MSNBC. Jones hired Kutler in 2022.
Weird timing?
On X, many users speculated whether Jones’ departure was a strategic move timed with former President Donald Trump’s inauguration just days away, while others wondered if she was pushed out. Notably, her exit comes just two months after Comcast revealed plans to spin off most of its cable TV networks into a separate publicly traded company, now referred to as SpinCo. This new entity will encompass MSNBC, CNBC, USA Network, Oxygen, E!, SYFY, and the Golf Channel. Despite the merger, MSNBC will retain its name, according to Mark Lazarus, the incoming CEO of SpinCo.
What should Jones do next?
Source: Dave Kotinsky / Getty
Speculation aside, Jones has the resume fit to start her own network or possibly take on consulting work to help other news sites diversify and thrive—and we’d love to see it happen. According to her bio on the NBCUniversal website, before becoming president of MSNBC in February 2021, Jones served as senior vice president of NBC News and MSNBC. In this role, she led cross-platform coverage of major breaking news events for both networks, including the coronavirus pandemic and Decision 2020, which encompassed presidential debates, town halls, primaries, special election nights, and forums.
She also oversaw MSNBC’s dayside and weekend news programming, managing live reporting and newsgathering in collaboration with NBC News’ journalistic resources. Notably, Jones executive produced the most-watched Democratic presidential debate in history during the 2020 election cycle.
Jones’ leadership and contributions have earned her multiple accolades, including two Emmys, three Edward R. Murrow Awards, and the 2022 RTDNA First Amendment Award. The prestigious honor recognizes journalists and news executives who make significant contributions to protecting First Amendment freedoms.
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