Joy-Ann Reid Returns with “The Joy Reid Show” — A Bold New Chapter in Independent Media

She’s back — and louder, freer, and more fearless than ever.

When Joy-Ann Reid signed off from her primetime MSNBC show The ReidOut earlier this year, she didn’t close the door — she left it wide open. Her final words, “We are not going to stop,” weren’t a farewell; they were a promise (Variety). And now, she’s keeping it.

After stepping away in what network insiders described as part of a “strategic reshuffle” at MSNBC, the trailblazing journalist, political analyst, and unapologetic truth-teller is launching a new venture that puts her back behind the mic — on her own terms. On June 9, Reid will debut “The Joy Reid Show”, a weekly podcast and YouTube series produced through her new multimedia company, Image Lab Media Group, which she co-founded with her husband, former Discovery Networks editor Jason Reid (The Hollywood Reporter).

According to Variety, the program will stream three days a week — Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays — from Washington, D.C., and will feature a dynamic mix of political analysis, cultural commentary, and global insight. The premiere episode will include comedian Amber Ruffin and former South African ambassador Ebrahim Rasool, reflecting Reid’s signature balance of humor, intellect, and international awareness.

In a press statement, Reid said:

“This podcast gives me the space to be all of me — smart, skeptical, curious, joyful, and sometimes just plain fired up. It’s a platform where I can unpack the headlines, sit with brilliant thinkers, challenge power, and also just vibe with the culture. The Joy Reid Show is where real conversations happen — without the limits of traditional TV. I’m excited to go deeper, laugh louder, and speak more freely than ever before.” (Variety)

From Network Anchor to Media Founder

Joy Reid’s pivot marks more than a career move — it’s a declaration of creative and journalistic independence. Through Image Lab Media Group, the veteran broadcaster aims to create original podcasts, documentaries, and long-form digital content that prioritize diverse perspectives and authentic storytelling. The company’s mission, Reid said, is to “own our narratives and produce media that reflects the fullness of Black life and American democracy” (The Washington Post).

The show’s format reflects that philosophy. Mondays and Wednesdays will focus on in-depth interviews and policy discussions with newsmakers, while Fridays will feature a relaxed, freestyle session — a chance for Reid to engage directly with her loyal fan base, which includes over 160,000 Substack subscribers and a combined 1.5 million followers across social media platforms (NPR).

Riding the Wave of Media Reinvention

Reid’s new chapter arrives at a time when many prominent journalists are leaving legacy networks to build their own platforms. Figures like Don Lemon, Mehdi Hasan, and Tiffany Cross have all launched independent ventures following their network exits, reflecting a broader trend toward what media experts call “the anchor-to-creator pipeline” (The Hollywood Reporter).

In that landscape, Reid’s move isn’t just about autonomy — it’s about evolution. As she told Variety, “We’re living in a time where people crave connection and truth over corporate spin. I want to meet audiences where they are — online, unfiltered, and unafraid.”

Her colleagues agree. Media critic Eric Deggans of NPR called Reid’s decision “a powerful example of journalists reclaiming their voices and reimagining what public discourse can look like in the digital age.”

Building Beyond the Mic

According to Variety, plans are already underway to expand “The Joy Reid Show” to five days a week by early next year. Image Lab Media Group is also developing a series of documentaries and special reports focused on racial justice, voting rights, and American politics — areas where Reid’s commentary has long been both respected and controversial.

While MSNBC continues to broaden its digital reach under new leadership, Reid is already proving that the future of news doesn’t just belong to big networks — it belongs to creators bold enough to build something new.

A Voice That Still Leads

Throughout her career, Reid has stood out for her sharp analysis, historical context, and fearlessness in challenging misinformation. Whether breaking down policy or celebrating culture, her presence has shaped how audiences understand the intersections of race, politics, and media.

Now, untethered from corporate oversight, she’s reclaiming her full voice. The Joy Reid Show isn’t just a comeback — it’s a renaissance.

Reid summed it up best in a post to her Substack subscribers:

“You can take me off TV, but you can’t silence the truth. We’re still talking — and this time, we’re doing it our way.” (Substack, June 2025)

She’s not just reclaiming her mic — she’s rewriting what power and ownership look like in modern journalism.

Joy Reid is back — and she’s building something that can’t be canceled.