Comcast, the parent company of NBCUniversal, announced a major restructuring. The plan is to spin off most of the cable network into a new entity called SpinCo.
The move includes major channels such as MSNBC, CNBC, USA Network and E! and aims to separate these operations from the existing NBC broadcast network.
The decision comes after MSNBC suffered significant viewership declines, including a more than 50% drop in viewership, especially after the recent election.
This corporate strategy signals Comcast’s response to the ongoing trend of cord cutting and the declining appeal of traditional cable TV. This highlights the need for a strategic shift that makes networks like MSNBC a primary focus as they struggle to retain audiences.
The separation process implies several important changes in the left-wing public opinion network. The changes are so significant that it is essentially starting over.
MSNBC has a big, big problem.
All of this resulted in a significant decline in viewership during MSNBC’s Election Day coverage and afterwards.
And after Hitler was elected, controversy arose.
The network’s flagship show, morning joesaw hosts Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski meet Donald Trump. The move sparked immediate negative feedback on both sides of the aisle. Not to mention the additional loss of viewers.
There is now uncertainty surrounding MSNBC’s branding. Mark Lazarus, who will lead the new venture, suggested the network might need to change its name, marking a rebranding effort to adapt to a new corporate structure.
“I totally sympathize with people who think this is bittersweet,” Lazarus said. “I think it’s interesting because very few times in life do you get the opportunity to be part of what I call a ‘well-funded startup.’”
MSNBC may have to change its name as part of today’s spinoff, which will likely also impact and limit its news gathering.
Spinco’s top executives say the company considers itself a “well-funded startup”… .😬 https://t.co/uWI5yfjAgU pic.twitter.com/XPHxjekzDV
— Max Tani (@maxwelltani) November 20, 2024
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Can anyone take the axe?
Simply put, MSNBC’s immediate future involves uncertainty regarding its operating structure and branding. So much so that Joe Scarborough awkwardly joked that everyone could be fired.
“I could be completely wrong. A year from now we could all be laid off. “When something like this happens, you never know what’s going to happen,” he said.
His wife and co-host Mika Brzezinski added, “Or tomorrow.”
Scarborough tried to downplay the move, saying his show ‘could all start a year from now’, while Mika said ‘Or tomorrow’.
While she was joking, the comment spoke to the danger facing MSNBC’s top talent. This happens especially after networks… pic.twitter.com/l13GfagodC— Karli Bonne’ 🇺🇸 (@KarluskaP) November 20, 2024
The Comcast sale and subsequent spinoff of cable networks, including MSNBC, could actually lead to layoffs or changes in staff. However, specific details related to the dismissal have not been officially confirmed.
But it’s beautiful to see them becoming ‘well-funded startups’.
First, if Trump wins re-election, MSNBC hosts will have no choice but to grovel to win him back. Now the entire brand may be shutting down for good.
