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Comcast Exploring Spinoff of NBCU Cable Networks Into New Company

Washington Post has a thought piece on the future of MSNBC after election and Comcast spinoff:




One risk ahead is the loss of brand identity and recognition, a concern that spread after a report on the morning of the announced split that a top executive told an internal gathering that he wasn’t sure whether MSNBC’s name and branding would have to change. “The name matters a lot,” the network insider told The Washington Post. “People have to find you. It’s harder than ever to find things.” (MSNBC launched in 1996 as a joint venture between Microsoft and NBC, combining online news with cable news. The years brought several updates to the brand and its approach; Microsoft got out of the TV operation in 2005 and the website by 2012, while NBC wrapped MSNBC into its overall digital and televised news coverage.)
 
Washington Post has a thought piece on the future of MSNBC after election and Comcast spinoff:



Also MSNBC has to deal with Comcast moving the news division over to NBC News Now and in some cases their local editions to get viewers over to Peacock. For MSNBC Specifically they have to lower the median age from 71 to the 25-54 range. How they do that requires two things the 2026 elections and changing pundits through layoffs, new hires and retirements in 2025 as soon as the spinoff is completed and approved by the SEC.



 
Why would they sell the USA Network? That channel has WWE Friday Night SmackDown and countless SVU and Chicago Med, Fire and PD reruns to fill the broadcast day.
 
Why would they sell the USA Network? That channel has WWE Friday Night SmackDown and countless SVU and Chicago Med, Fire and PD reruns to fill the broadcast day.
Because the cable TV business model is collapsing and cable networks aren't cash cows anymore, no matter how attractive the programming. I know wrestling is a top priority for you in these discussions, so I wouldn't count on SmackDown being around on USA or any cable channel for many more years, given the grim cable subscription statistics. As you've noticed, WWE is moving much of its weekly content to streaming media. I expect that to continue next year and beyond as existing cable contracts expire or cable networks fold.
 



NBC News, owned by Comcast (CMCSA.O), opens new tab, is also planning job cuts later this week, according to the report. While there is no exact number, the layoffs will be well under 50.
Comcast and Warner Bros Discovery did not immediately respond to Reuters requests for comment on the report.


NBC News to have cuts and yes this comes as Comcast gears up for the spinoff.

NBC News is also planning cuts later this week, according to people familiar with the matter who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss nonpublic changes. While the exact number couldn’t be determined, the job losses will be well under 50, two of the people said. A spokesperson for NBC News declined to comment.
Both news organizations waited until after the U.S. presidential inauguration to make the cuts. The news media landscape is in transition as fewer people watch linear TV and more consume their news on streaming services and through social media.
 

Here is the current status for "SpinCo" as Comcast looks for new headquarters for its spinoff company before its finalized for approval.

SpinCo is setting up shop in Manhattan as parent company Comcast is currently scouting locations for a new corporate headquarters for its soon to be spun off cable network portfolio, TheWrap has learned.

In addition to its corporate teams, the new headquarters will house some entertainment teams and MSNBC, including its New York studio space and a production facility.

CNBC will remain in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, which will also serve as SpinCo’s technical operations hubs. MSNBC and CNBC will also continue to operate its DC Bureau out of 400 North Capitol, where SpinCo is securing dedicated space.


Also Comcast is looking for management for Spinco for the same reasons here.
 

Here is an interesting one where there is a proposed plan for peacock to continue to carry SpinCo's content for some time if the spin off is approved.

Some of NBC Universal’s cable channels will be separated from Comcast later this year, with the latter retaining NBC, NBC Sports and Bravo. Reality-based shows from Bravo continue to be a significant driver of viewership to Peacock, according to a source who spoke with The Desk earlier this year, and Comcast’s intention in retaining Bravo is meant to ensure it has long-term rights to the network’s programming once the other cable networks are spun off.

Some of its other cable networks, including MSNBC and CNBC, distribute shows on-demand through Peacock, and that will continue when the networks are spun out into the separate company tentatively called “SpinCo.” Comcast and SpinCo executives are working through various licensing deals that will keep some programming from MSNBC, CNBC and its cable networks on Peacock for a short time after the separation is complete, the executive source confirmed. The discussions also involve ways to distribute NBC Sports programming, including the Olympic and Paralympic Games, on the cable networks in the years to come.
 
So now that NBCUniversal announced it will spin off its cable networks, apparently they're going to start a Sports Cable Channel:


The reason is they need an overflow for the NBA, and the games would air on cable before going to Peacock. It sounds like this new network would stay with the parent, and wouldn't go to Versant.
 
So now that NBCUniversal announced it will spin off its cable networks, apparently they're going to start a Sports Cable Channel:


The reason is they need an overflow for the NBA, and the games would air on cable before going to Peacock. It sounds like this new network would stay with the parent, and wouldn't go to Versant.
Streaming is such a huge success that NBC is launching a cable channel. I stand on what I said, streaming is a fad and won’t be popular by the end of this decade. For anyone keeping score at home, Peacock still isn’t profitable Peacock Narrows Loss to $215M, Subscribers Jump to 41M
 
I stand on what I said, streaming is a fad and won’t be popular by the end of this decade.
I’ve been using streaming services since 2011. I don’t think 14 years is a fad.

Your assertion reminds me of the famous words of H.M. Warner, one of the founders of Warner Brothers. Almost a century ago he exclaimed “Who the hell wants to hear actors talk?” in response to adding sound to movies.

The trend away from linear television is well established and isn’t going away.
 
I’ve been using streaming services since 2011. I don’t think 14 years is a fad.

Your assertion reminds me of the famous words of H.M. Warner, one of the founders of Warner Brothers. Almost a century ago he exclaimed “Who the hell wants to hear actors talk?” in response to adding sound to movies.

The trend away from linear television is well established and isn’t going away.
How many others used streaming in 2011?
 


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