MSNBC's political leanings have been the subject of much debate. Some critics argue that the network's coverage is biased in favor of the Democratic Party and its policies, while others maintain that it provides a balanced perspective on political issues. In 2018, a study by the Pew Research Center found that MSNBC's viewers were more liberal than those of other cable news networks, with 72% identifying as liberal or very liberal.
Despite the debate over its political leanings, MSNBC remains one of the most popular cable news channels in the United States. In 2021, the network was the fourth most-watched cable news channel in the country, with an average of 1.1 million viewers in primetime.