MSNBC has reportedly told most of Rachel Maddow‘s staff that they are being let go as part of the network’s restructuring project.

The network’s project, which has already resulted in the cancellation of Joy Reid’s program and some hosts being let go, will keep Maddow’s executive producer, Cory Gnazzo, along with several other senior producers. The Comcast-owned company told their staff that they could apply for new roles at the network or accept a severance payout. 

Last week, Maddow took to the air to blast the network for firing Reid. The network insists that the shakeup resulted from a reallocation of resources to support its evolving priorities and that affected employees can apply for the newly available positions before roles are opened to external candidates. 

Despite the reassurances, the changes have raised concerns. MSNBC has previously found ways to move staff around without cuts. The new approach marks a major departure from previous practices, especially at a difficult time for the cable news industry. The restructuring coincides with financial pressures at MSNBC due to being spun off from NBCUniversal. 

Other networks’ search for cost-saving measures includes CNN’s recent move to lay off 200 employees under new chief executive Mark Thompson, who was previously reported aggressively pushing for a more potent digital strategy. Over the week, Oliver Darcy‘s Status newsletter reported that a staff member from Reid’s show confronted MSNBC president Rebecca Kutler about plans for the program’s employees.

Kutler confirmed that layoffs were possible but assured the team that affected employees would remain on the payroll until April and receive severance packages. Employees worry that accepting new positions may require relocation.  

While Reid is no longer an employee of the network, other hosts will host new shows at different time slots or be reassigned within the MSNBC system. 

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Article by Jacob Barker

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