MSNBC Faces Potential for Big Changes in Comcast Cable Spin-Off

As someone who has been a dedicated MSNBC viewer for years, the news of potential changes within the network leaves me feeling like I’ve just lost my favorite pair of shoes – worn, comfortable, and always there when I needed them.


Those who have been disillusioned with MSNBC’s progressive stance following Donald Trump’s win in the 2024 election might find themselves without a familiar outlet for their views.

One of the new leaders at the spin-off company, which is a division of Comcast‘s cable assets, proposed that the news channel might need to rename itself and update its logo as part of their future plans. This suggestion was made during a meeting with MSNBC staff on Wednesday morning, according to two sources who were present at the gathering.

Lazarus addressed a crowd that included Rachel Maddow, Chris Jansing, and Katy Tur, expressing uncertainty about whether MSNBC might need to redefine its brand as part of the deal, which separates the cable network and its business-news counterpart CNBC from NBC News and NBCUniversal. If these networks no longer belong to the NBC corporate family, attendees wondered, would they still be allowed to use logos associated with their previous headquarters?

During the upcoming deal, MSNBC’s news gathering procedure might undergo changes as well. According to individuals briefed on the matter, the executive wasn’t clear if a new division specifically designed for gathering and validating news independently from NBC would need to be established anew.

The possibility of leaving NBC News has sparked concerns among journalists within the company, as both MSNBC and CNBC often collaborate on news reporting, contributors, and other aspects. Moreover, a significant portion of MSNBC’s daytime programming consists of correspondents associated with traditional NBC News rather than their opinion-based shows, which are the most popular.

Similar to other cable news networks, MSNBC is encountering substantial business difficulties. Rather than tuning in for commentary each evening, a growing number of viewers are switching to different channels, as seen with other cable-news networks. According to forecasts from Kagan, a research firm under S&P Global Intelligence, MSNBC may lose around 10.5% of its subscribers from the end of 2023 to the end of 2025. Fox News Channel and CNN are expected to experience comparable declines during that period. By the end of 2025, MSNBC could have an average of 61.3 million viewers compared to 68.5 million in 2023, despite it being an election year, which usually attracts more viewers back to news programming.

At the gathering, Lazarus referred to the fresh enterprise as “a startup with ample financial backing.” According to them, this venture will establish a location in Manhattan, although they mentioned that the exact headquarters of the company remain undecided at this moment.

Additionally, he proposed that the company could explore television broadcasting groups or sports organizations as possible acquisitions, according to some sources.

More to come..

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2024-11-20 19:49