*Rashida Jones, who made history in 2020 by becoming the first Black president of MSNBC, has announced her resignation from the position.
As the network prepares for a spin-off from Comcast alongside other cable channels, Jones’s departure marks a significant turning point for both her career and the network itself, according to Journal-isms.
“After four incredible years at the helm of MSNBC and 11 years at NBCU, I have decided to pursue new opportunities,” she told the staff in a memo on Monday. Jones expressed her gratitude and pride in the accomplishments achieved during her tenure, remarking, “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.”
Throughout her leadership, Jones has overseen pivotal changes at MSNBC, particularly as the channel was navigating intense scrutiny and competition.
According to Ted Johnson’s report for Deadline, Mark Lazarus, who is managing the transition of the spun-off cable assets, asked her to continue during this critical period.
“Rashida has expertly navigated MSNBC through a years-long, unrelenting, and unprecedented news cycle, all while driving the network to record viewership,” Lazarus noted.
Taking the reins in early 2021, Jones succeeded longtime president Phil Griffin and has been credited with diversifying MSNBC’s business model beyond traditional television programming. Her focus on innovation led to substantial investments in podcasts, documentary films, and live events.
During her tenure, the network solidified its position in linear ratings over key competitors like CNN, even though it experienced a decline in viewership following Trump’s reelection, Journal-isms noted.
In December 2023, a spokesperson highlighted that MSNBC retained the title of the #1 network across all of cable among Black viewers for the sixth consecutive year, as well as leading among Asian viewers. Among Hispanic viewers, MSNBC ranked #1 in cable news and #2 across all of cable, trailing only ESPN. This notable diversity in viewership speaks to Jones’s commitment to inclusive programming and representation in the media.
MSNBC has become known for its diverse audience, with some of the highest-rated cable news programs among Black Americans. Notably, “PoliticsNation with Al Sharpton” achieved the highest concentration of Black viewers at 41%, illustrating the network’s appeal and significant demographic engagement.
Furthermore, Jones’s appointment was a significant milestone in a broader movement towards diversity in media leadership.
Following Jones’ ascension, Kimberly Godwin made headlines as the first Black executive to run a broadcast-network news operation at ABC News. However, Godwin resigned last year, highlighting the ongoing challenges within the industry when it comes to sustaining diverse leadership.
Currently, George Cheeks, president and CEO of CBS, and Cesar Conde, chairman of the NBCUniversal News Group, represent diversity at top levels of major networks. Cheeks is noted as being biracial, and Conde is Hispanic, yet the turnover and departures of other minority executives underscore the ongoing need for sustained efforts toward inclusivity in media leadership.
As Rashida Jones departs from MSNBC, her legacy will undoubtedly influence the network’s future direction and the industry’s ongoing dialogue about diversity and representation in journalism and media.
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