MSNBC is navigating a turbulent period marked by declining ratings, corporate restructuring, and potential staff reductions. The network is reportedly negotiating salary cuts with prominent hosts Joy Reid and Stephanie Ruhle, amidst wider cost-cutting measures.

Ruhle, anchor of "The 11th Hour," currently earns a reported $2 million annually, while Reid, host of "The ReidOut," earns $3 million. These negotiations coincide with a broader downturn for MSNBC, including declining viewership and a planned spin-off from parent company Comcast into a new entity called SpinCo.

This restructuring has reportedly fueled anxiety among MSNBC employees, with concerns about potential layoffs and changes to the network's branding and operations. An internal meeting with NBCUniversal chairman Mark Lazarus, who will lead SpinCo., was met with questions from staff about the future of the channel.

The network's ratings have suffered across multiple programs. Reid's viewership has reportedly declined by almost half since the 2020 election, and other primetime hosts, including Chris Hayes and Lawrence O'Donnell, have also seen significant drops. Even Rachel Maddow, who recently signed a new contract, reportedly accepted a reduced salary of $25 million per year.

This period of uncertainty follows other controversies, including criticism of the network for its perceived resistance to younger leadership and backlash against "Morning Joe" hosts Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski for their meeting with former President Trump. These challenges underscore the difficulties facing MSNBC as it grapples with a changing media landscape and internal pressures.