The Best TV Shows on MSNBC

Every MSNBC Show Ranked From Best To Worst

MSNBC’s extensive portfolio includes more than 20 shows, spanning the years from 2003 to 2024. Icons of MSNBC, Countdown with Keith Olbermann and Lockup made their debut in 2003 and 2005, setting industry standards. Peruse our comprehensive roster of MSNBC’s top shows, encompassing over 20 distinct series as of July 2025.

  • The 11th Hour with Brian Williams
    The 11th Hour with Brian Williams (2016)9.0

    MSNBC’s Brian Williams brings you every late-breaking headline and puts each day into sharp context.

  • Morning Joe
    Morning Joe (2007)8.0

    Morning Joe is a weekday morning talk show on MSNBC, with Joe Scarborough discussing the news of the day in a panel format with co-hosts Mika Brzezinski and Willie Geist. It was created as the replacement for Imus in the Morning, which was canceled in April 2007 after simulcasting on MSNBC since 1996. It airs from 6AM to 9AM Eastern Time.

  • Lockup
    Lockup (2005)7.3

    Lockup explore prison facilities throughout the United States, profiling notable inmates, incidents, and prison operations.

  • Countdown with Keith Olbermann
    Countdown with Keith Olbermann (2003)6.3

    Countdown with Keith Olbermann was an hour-long weeknight news and political commentary program hosted by Keith Olbermann that aired on MSNBC from 2003-2011 and Current TV from 2011-2012. The show presented five selected news stories of the day, with commentary by Olbermann and interviews of guests. At the start of Countdown, Olbermann told television columnist Lisa de Moraes: "Our charge for the immediate future is to stay out of the way of the news.... News is the news. We will not be screwing around with it.... As times improve and the war [in Iraq] ends we will begin to introduce more and more elements familiar to my style."

  • The Rachel Maddow Show
    The Rachel Maddow Show (2008)6.1

    The Rachel Maddow Show is a daily news and opinion television program that airs on MSNBC, running in the 9:00 pm ET timeslot. It is hosted by Rachel Maddow, who gained popularity with her frequent appearances as a liberal pundit on various MSNBC programs. It is based on her former radio show of the same name. The show debuted on September 8, 2008.

  • The Beat with Ari Melber
    The Beat with Ari Melber (2017)5.8

    Ari Melber delivers the biggest political and news stories of the day, with interviews and original reporting from around the nation. An Emmy-winning journalist, attorney and former Senate staffer, Melber cuts through the spin and the noise to tell you what's really happening. Real news, every night.

  • Hardball with Chris Matthews
    Hardball with Chris Matthews (N/A)5.8

    Hardball with Chris Matthews is an American television talk show on MSNBC, broadcast weekdays at 7 PM ET hosted by Chris Matthews. It originally aired on now-defunct America's Talking and later CNBC. The current title was derived from a book Matthews wrote in 1988, Hardball: How Politics Is Played Told by One Who Knows the Game. Hardball is a talking-head style cable news show where the moderator advances opinions on a wide range of topics, focusing primarily on current political issues. These issues are discussed with a panel of guests that usually consists of political analysts and sometimes include politicians. It also runs in a "Best of" format Saturday mornings at 5 AM.

  • Deadline: White House
    Deadline: White House (2017)5.5

    Hosted by Nicolle Wallace, this program provides in-depth reporting and dynamic discussions on the political stories driving the news cycle. Nicolle Wallace brings viewers the latest political developments of the day, in addition to interviews with leading newsmakers and influential politicians. Drawing on her years of experience as communications chief for President George W. Bush and senior advisor for the McCain-Palin campaign, Wallace provides political insight and clarity on where key decision-makers stand on complex issues.

  • All In with Chris Hayes
    All In with Chris Hayes (2013)5.0

    Chris Hayes delivers the biggest news and political stories of the day with a commitment to in-depth reporting that consistently seeks to hold the nation's leaders accountable for their actions. Drawing from his background as a reporter, Hayes at times reports directly from the scene of a news event as it occurs to provide a firsthand account, digging deep and speaking with people who represent different points of view. Hayes brings the nation's officials, legislators, policymakers, and local activists to the table to address key issues affecting communities across America.

  • Inside with Jen Psaki
    Inside with Jen Psaki (2023)4.5

    Jen Psaki breaks down the biggest issues of the week, featuring one-on-one interviews with newsmakers.

  • The Joy Reid Show
    The Joy Reid Show (2020)4.0

    Joy Reid conducts one-on-one conversations with politicians and newsmakers while addressing provocative political issues both inside and outside of the beltway. Reid, who is also a best-selling author and public speaker, joined MSNBC in 2011 as a contributor. Drawing from her decades-long experience in politics, passion for addressing the intersection of race, justice and culture, as well as her signature tenacious interviewing style, Reid kicks off MSNBC’s primetime lineup by delving into American politics as they unfold.

  • Alex Wagner Tonight
    Alex Wagner Tonight (2022)2.0

    Alex Wagner brings years of reporting experience and insight to covering the news of the day, politics and the cultural trends shaping the United States and American lives, giving viewers a better understanding of the rapidly changing world.

  • MSNBC Prime
    MSNBC Prime (2022)1.0

    The latest breaking news, reporting and live coverage of the day's important stories.

  • Leguizamo Does America
    Leguizamo Does America (2023)1.0

    John Leguizamo travels across the country to bring viewers inside America's thriving Latino communities - all with his characteristic edge, energy, and wit.

  • On Assignment with Richard Engel
    On Assignment with Richard Engel (2017)N/A

    On Assignment with Richard Engel follows the NBC News correspondent as he reports on stories around the world. He draws from his twenty years of experience of original reporting from the field to host this series which features in-depth reporting and interviews with key figures around the world.

  • Story of Cool
    Story of Cool (2018)N/A

    A look back at what Americans have considered “cool” throughout the decades examining the people, places, and things that define this ubiquitous, amorphous word.

  • Way Too Early
    Way Too Early (2020)N/A

    Inside-the-beltway political news and critical stories shaping the national conversation.

  • The Katie Phang Show
    The Katie Phang Show (2022)N/A

    MSNBC show lead by Katie Phang.

  • TheWeekend
    TheWeekend (2024)N/A

    Jonathan Capehart, Eugene Daniels, and Jackie Alemany team up to bring their wide range of political expertise every Saturday and Sunday morning. Fresh analysis of the week's biggest events and a rotating crew of major newsmakers.

  • Prime: Weekend
    Prime: Weekend (2024)N/A

    Highlights from MSNBC prime time.