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đź“ş Cable Cut, Chaos Ensues
As cords are cut, a major player splits—what’s the bigger picture?
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TRENDING
Left: How Matt Gaetz Crashed and Burned, McGraw, et al., Politico
Left: Where Should Democrats Point the Finger? Seth Masket, Los Angeles Times
Left: Harris Disappointed Gen Z, Eifert, Lake, Slade & Tarver, American Prospect
Right: The Trump Counterrevolution Is a Return to Sanity, Victor Davis Hanson, American Greatness
Right: Why Pete Hegseth Is the Right Man To Run the Pentagon, Chuck DeVore, The Federalist
Right: A Perilous Moment: Raging Wars and an Addled President, Byron York, Washington Examiner
MEDIA
Cable Cut, Chaos Ensues
Today’s Top Story: Amid declining ratings and cable subscriber losses, Comcast will separate its cable networks, forming a $7 billion spinoff to navigate a rapidly evolving media industry.
Reporting from the Left: Comcast to spin off its cable channels, including MSNBC and CNBC, into separate company (CNN)
Reporting from the Right: Comcast moving forward with spinoff from MSNBC and other cable channels (Washington Examiner)
LEFT-LEANING SENTIMENT
Impact on News Divisions
The Top Argument From The Left: What the Comcast cable network spinoff means for MSNBC and NBC News, Stephen Battaglio, Los Angeles Times: “…the deal raises questions about the future of liberal-slanted MSNBC, which has at times beat its more down-the-middle rival CNN in ratings for major events such as election night. … NBCUniversal Group Chairman Mark Lazarus, who will oversee the new spun-off company, told MSNBC staff Wednesday that he was unsure what the arrangement would mean for the channel’s name and logo, which incorporates the recognizable multicolored NBC peacock. … Changing the name MSNBC now would require a massive promotional campaign. Its audience of habit-bound older viewers — the media age is over 70 — may be resistant to trust a brand they don’t recognize. The spinoff could also increase pressure on talent salaries, which are under scrutiny across all TV news organizations that are facing shrinking audiences. … As MSNBC’s reputation as a destination for progressive viewers became more pronounced, its fans rejected the more neutral approach of NBC News journalists such as Chuck Todd and Andrea Mitchell, who also appeared on the channel.”
Honorable Mention #1: The fate of MSNBC could be in Trump’s hands, Matt Egan, CNN
Honorable Mention #2: MSNBC Faces Potential for Big Changes in Comcast Cable Spin-Off, Brian Steinberg, Variety
RIGHT-LEANING SENTIMENT
Doomsday for Traditional Media
The Top Argument From The Right: The rise of digital voices, and Comcast splitting in two, brings doomsday predictions for traditional media, Howard Kurtz, Fox News: “Beyond the financial questions – whether the smaller cable units have to seek a larger partner – is an unmistakable implication: that all-news channels have a questionable future. With CNN having done a round of layoffs last year and expected to impose deeper cuts under its new boss, cable staffers, including top anchors, are nervous about their hazy future. Prognosticators have warned for years that cable news is plagued by aging audiences – although Fox’s ratings have never been higher – and, along with newspapers, are being eclipsed by newfangled digital media. … The rise of Substack has provided journalists and others with an independent platform, and it has doubled down on politics while outlets like Meta’s Facebook and Instagram are minimizing such content. … However this all shakes out, it’s a strong platform for disaffected or laid-off journalists, as well as unknowns who build a following with their specialties. The Comcast move telegraphs how much the media landscape has changed. But those who predict doom for the traditional media are missing the mark; all of America isn’t constantly online.”
Honorable Mention #1: Nolte: Comcast Dumps Cratering MSNBC and Other Dying Cable Channels, John Nolte, Breitbart
Honorable Mention #2: MSNBC's future a 'big concern' for staffers as Comcast moves to separate liberal network from NBCUniversal, Josepha A. Wulfsohn and Brian Flood, Fox News
FLAG THIS
What Goes and What Stays?
Comcast originally acquired NBCUniversal in 2011 for $16.7B, and the restructuring would affect several of its cable assets.
NBCUniversal networks, including MSNBC, CNBC, USA, Oxygen, SyFy, E!, and Golf Channel, generated $7B in revenue over the past year.
The spin-off will not include Comcast's streaming platform Peacock, broadcast network NBC, or Bravo, which will remain under its portfolio.
The move reflects industry trends, including increased cord-cutting and shifting focus toward streaming services over declining traditional TV models (The Hill).
Do you think this will significantly impact the news coverage of networks like MSNBC and CNBC? |
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WATERCOOLER
JFK Buried, Cleaner Prep, Retina Reflections
On This Day in 1963, Three days after his assassination in Dallas, Texas, John F. Kennedy was laid to rest with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia.
Today I Learned: You can see inside your own eye.
37 DAYS TO GO
If we get 1,000 paying subscribers by December 31, we’ll continue this newsletter in 2025. If we don’t, we will discontinue.
We are capitalists, so we will let the market (aka, YOU) decide whether or not this newsletter should live or die.
We have two options for you to choose from:
$3/mo: You’ll get our Sunday newsletter too.
$7/mo: You’ll get our Sunday newsletter and an ad-free experience.
The clock is ticking. We have 37 days to reach 1,000 subscribers.
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