Comcast Considering Spinning Off Cable Networks

[JTT 74]

Comcast is considering spinning off their cable networks. 

 

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/comcast-exploring-spinoff-cable-networks-124654274.html

 

I wonder why they would so this.  I would keep the most successful networks or programs and close the ones that aren't.   Or turn them into streaming categories & put it on peacock.

Edited November 1 by 24994J

[DENDude 197]

CNBC Said on air early today, that most of the cable networks mentioned, especially MSNBC were loosing money.  And that according to comcast, MSNBC has been loosing money for quite some time.

[tyrannical bastard 3763]

2 hours ago, DENDude said:

CNBC Said on air early today, that most of the cable networks mentioned, especially MSNBC were loosing money.  And that according to comcast, MSNBC has been loosing money for quite some time.

Let's face it, after this election saga is over (which may drag on for some time afterwards as long as DJT has a pulse), what will MSNBC do? 

It's existence is to solely conquer Fox "News" and counterbalance all of the stuff they put out.

[NowBergen 579]

5 hours ago, JTT said:

Comcast is considering spinning off their cable networks. 

 

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/comcast-exploring-spinoff-cable-networks-124654274.html

 

I wonder why they would so this.  I would keep the most successful networks or programs and close the ones that aren't.   Or turn them into streaming categories & put it on peacock.

 

As I read in the Variety article, it would be very complicated.  MSNBC and CNBC are part of NBC News and helps pay for news gathering (they are very profitable).  USA is a vehicle for NBC Sports now that they shut down their own sports channel.  Plus they play a big role with Peacock. Universo is tied in with Telemundo, and hosts sports including Spanish simulcasts of SNF and probably SNNBA.  Could E!, Bravo, Oxygen and Universal Kids command enough interest in a spinoff?  They are right to look at it as an option, but anyone thinking this is a done deal is way too premature.

[mre29 1436]

Meanwhile, I have a feeling Syfy may be going away in the next year. The channel's had a limited amount of new original shows for a while now, but it's currently down to just three shows, one of which has yet to premiere. Also, one recently-canceled show, Chucky, was simulcast on USA Network, while another show, Resident Alien, is moving to that channel altogether. Most of Syfy's schedule consists of sci-fi, fantasy, horror, thriller, and action movies. It could easily be merged into USA Network and its channel space sold off.

 

[mrschimpf 2232]

8 minutes ago, mre29 said:

Meanwhile, I have a feeling Syfy may be going away in the next year. The channel's had a limited amount of new original shows for a while now, but it's currently down to just three shows, one of which has yet to premiere. Also, one recently-canceled show, Chucky, was simulcast on USA Network, while another show, Resident Alien, is moving to that channel altogether. Most of Syfy's schedule consists of sci-fi, fantasy, horror, thriller, and action movies. It could easily be merged into USA Network and its channel space sold off.

 

I feel like Oxygen's move to OTA, it's more likely to move there down the line with it or as a rebranding of an existing OTA subchannel. I can't see Universal Kids continuing outside a Peacock vertical for sure once the next RTC cycle ends.

[JTT 74]

How about the other channels?  Instead of selling them off, while not transfer those channels like bravo, e channel, & , etc to peacock like the person mention previously with universal kids above or move the most successful programs to USA, & shut those other networks down?   I think by selling off the networks, it will create more issues for Comcast instead of being beneficial because they own channels like cnbc and msnbc, sharing the name with NBC.  USA network has sports, so what are they going to do with the issue of the sports contracts?

 

I thought NBC news was profitable,  but to hear that msnbc was losing money, it didn't make sense.  Why is that?  Are the personalities on the channel making too much?

 

For MSNBC, maybe move their prime time programs to CNBC between 7pm - Midnight,  while CNBC keeps its' business news during the daytime with regular breaking news updates every half hour, if they plan to shut msnbc down. 

 

Basically, instead of owning a bunch of cable networks, they should just concentrate on 2 like USA & CNBC, while moving the rest to peacock or shutting them down.

[MediaZone4K 1872]

On 10/31/2024 at 4:54 PM, tyrannical bastard said:

 

 

19 minutes ago, JTT said:

How about the other channels?  Instead of selling them off, while not transfer those channels like bravo, e channel, & , etc to peacock like the person mention previously with universal kids above or move the most successful programs to USA, & shut those other networks down?   I think by selling off the networks, it will create more issues for Comcast instead of being beneficial because they own channels like cnbc and msnbc, sharing the name with NBC.  USA network has sports, so what are they going to do with the issue of the sports contracts?

 

I thought NBC news was profitable,  but to hear that msnbc was losing money, it didn't make sense.  Why is that?  Are the personalities on the channel making too much?

 

For MSNBC, maybe move their prime time programs to CNBC between 7pm - Midnight,  while CNBC keeps its' business news during the daytime with regular breaking news updates every half hour, if they plan to shut msnbc down. 

 

Basically, instead of owning a bunch of cable networks, they should just concentrate on 2 like USA & CNBC, while moving the rest to peacock or shutting them down.

Strange to hear MSNBC is losing money. Statista puts it as the #3 rated cable network behind Fox News and ESPN.

 

How are some of these cable channels like SyFy still on the air making advertising profits with viewership below 1 million, in some cases below 500,000? 

 

I agree with shutting everything down that isn't MSNBC, CNBC and USA.

 

I don't think merging MSNBC with CNBC would work...but I would love to see all propaganda cable news channels shut down. This is about money however so....

On 10/31/2024 at 4:54 PM, tyrannical bastard said:

Let's face it, after this election saga is over (which may drag on for some time afterwards as long as DJT has a pulse), what will MSNBC do? 

It's existence is to solely conquer Fox "News" and counterbalance all of the stuff they put out.

CNN and MSNBC have such a complex relationship with Trump. They want him out of office because of his ideology, yet his presence is fueling their viewership. 

 

If Trump looses, MSNBC will a) focus on Trump's legal battles, b) return to their pre 2015 strategy: non-stop criticism of Republican policy and congressional legislation blockage, c) they could simulcast NBC News Now and leave the opinions to Primetime. 

Edited November 3 by MediaZone4K

[Reweivvt88 22]

On 10/31/2024 at 2:18 PM, DENDude said:

CNBC Said on air early today, that most of the cable networks mentioned, especially MSNBC were loosing money.  And that according to comcast, MSNBC has been loosing money for quite some time.

I watched the CNBC coverage they posted online when this was breaking, and there was no mention of MSNBC losing money. Comcast never said in their shareholder comments about MSNBC losing money. Are you sure you heard correctly? They talked about how cable networks are a drain on the company due to subscriber declines, but there was no mention of MSNBC being unprofitable or losing money. None of the media stories covering this, including outlets very hostile to MSNBC, have mentioned MSNBC losing money. It's only this discussion forum where MSNBC losing money is considered fact. 

[mre29 1436]

12 hours ago, MediaZone4K said:

I don't think merging MSNBC with CNBC would work...

 

Agreed. But CNBC should be merged with CNBC World. I mean, wouldn't CNBC's target audience prefer to follow coverage of international markets instead of repeats of years-old episodes of Shark Tank?

 

At the very least, having the international coverage in the same feed as domestic would avoid silliness such as what happens to CNBC World's non-HD feed on Spectrum:

 

 

Yup, it gets squished to 4:3 and pillarboxed. Bleh!

 

 

[JTT 74]

I was reardng the article thar mentioned msnbc as not being profitable that day,  but I can't find that article online anymore.  Has anyone else come across the article?

[Megatron81 222]

I could see Comcast spinning off the cable networks into a different company in my opinion.

[NowBergen 579]

4 hours ago, JTT said:

I was reardng the article thar mentioned msnbc as not being profitable that day,  but I can't find that article online anymore.  Has anyone else come across the article?

I believe the comment was about the low viewership cable channels in general, not MSNBC, CNBC, or USA specifically.  Think all those Paramount channels, ABC (ex Fox) and NBCU low viewership channels.  

[tyrannical bastard 3763]

Maybe Comcast should split their cable business from NBCUniversal.....

 

...sort of like how they were BEFORE they bought NBCUniversal......

[MediaZone4K 1872]

15 hours ago, mre29 said:

 

Agreed. But CNBC should be merged with CNBC World. I mean, wouldn't CNBC's target audience prefer to follow coverage of international markets instead of repeats of years-old episodes of Shark Tank?

 

At the very least, having the international coverage in the same feed as domestic would avoid silliness such as what happens to CNBC World's non-HD feed on Spectrum:

 

 

Yup, it gets squished to 4:3 and pillarboxed. Bleh!

 

 

Jesus those L3s are awful. They paid a design firm to make those — let that sink in. Yes, I think they should merge or at least have CNBC simulcast CNBC World after 7pm. Show foreign market coverage like Bloomberg does, instead of Shark Tank and American Greed. 

Edited November 4 by MediaZone4K

[mrschimpf 2232]

8 minutes ago, MediaZone4K said:

Jesus those L3s are awful. They paid a design firm to make those — let that sink in. Yes, I think they should merge or at least have CNBC simulcast CNBC World after 7pm. Show foreign market coverage like Bloomberg does, instead of Shark Tank and American Greed. 

Or just air NBC News Now; we're literally talking about thousands of viewers with channels like CNBC, FBN, Bloomberg and Cheddar. I have never understood the obsession with keeping primetime audiences when said audience is gone now. After hours trading is just all meme stock crypto bros no advertiser wants anyways.

 

And the reason it's still in SD, even on the app is to drive people to the $30/month Pro app like it's still 2005 and nobody is streaming regularly.

[mre29 1436]

56 minutes ago, mrschimpf said:

Or just air NBC News Now; we're literally talking about thousands of viewers with channels like CNBC, FBN, Bloomberg and Cheddar. I have never understood the obsession with keeping primetime audiences when said audience is gone now. After hours trading is just all meme stock crypto bros no advertiser wants anyways.

 

And the reason it's still in SD, even on the app is to drive people to the $30/month Pro app like it's still 2005 and nobody is streaming regularly.

 

I'm more annoyed by the aspect ratio being screwed up than by it not being in HD.

 

And I'm pretty sure CNBC World isn't mostly after-hours trading.

 

[mrschimpf 2232]

6 minutes ago, mre29 said:

 

I'm more annoyed by the aspect ratio being screwed up than by it not being in HD.

 

And I'm pretty sure CNBC World isn't mostly after-hours trading.

 

It isn't; the daytime schedule is just all repeats of their primetime reality dreck and some of their international shows, which could all just be a Peacock vertical.

[mre29 1436]

51 minutes ago, mrschimpf said:

It isn't; the daytime schedule is just all repeats of their primetime reality dreck and some of their international shows, which could all just be a Peacock vertical.

 

Oh, I hadn't even looked at CNBC World's daytime schedule. But now that I am, there's no doubt the two channels should be merged.

 

[TheRolyPoly 1986]

23 hours ago, mre29 said:

 

Agreed. But CNBC should be merged with CNBC World. I mean, wouldn't CNBC's target audience prefer to follow coverage of international markets instead of repeats of years-old episodes of Shark Tank?

 

At the very least, having the international coverage in the same feed as domestic would avoid silliness such as what happens to CNBC World's non-HD feed on Spectrum:

 

 

Yup, it gets squished to 4:3 and pillarboxed. Bleh!

 

 

 

And provide a programming feed in a way Bloomberg already does it?

[channel2 926]

On 10/31/2024 at 4:06 PM, NowBergen said:

 

As I read in the Variety article, it would be very complicated.  MSNBC and CNBC are part of NBC News and helps pay for news gathering (they are very profitable).  USA is a vehicle for NBC Sports now that they shut down their own sports channel.  Plus they play a big role with Peacock. Universo is tied in with Telemundo, and hosts sports including Spanish simulcasts of SNF and probably SNNBA.  Could E!, Bravo, Oxygen and Universal Kids command enough interest in a spinoff?  They are right to look at it as an option, but anyone thinking this is a done deal is way too premature.

 

I think Bravo is more popular than people here realize. The Real Housewives franchise, and the rest of their programming, holds a very strong appeal with a demographic advertisers love - and one that I suspect has little if any overlap with that of this board. Bravo plays a big role with Peacock as well.

 

On 11/1/2024 at 11:39 AM, mre29 said:

Meanwhile, I have a feeling Syfy may be going away in the next year. The channel's had a limited amount of new original shows for a while now, but it's currently down to just three shows, one of which has yet to premiere. Also, one recently-canceled show, Chucky, was simulcast on USA Network, while another show, Resident Alien, is moving to that channel altogether. Most of Syfy's schedule consists of sci-fi, fantasy, horror, thriller, and action movies. It could easily be merged into USA Network and its channel space sold off.

 

 

Sci Fi/Syfy has always been a bit of an outlier in the NBC Universal stable. Unlike USA, Bravo or Oxygen (pre-true crime revamp), it's overtly dedicated to a category, not a demographic. It strikes me as a hidden gem that could excel in the right hands but I don't think NBCU cares about it anymore.

Edited November 5 by channel2

[NowBergen 579]

9 minutes ago, channel2 said:

 

I think Bravo is more popular than people here realize. The Real Housewives franchise, and the rest of their programming, holds a very strong appeal with a demographic advertisers love - and one that I suspect has little if any overlap with that of this board. Bravo plays a big role with Peacock as well.

 

 

Except when not airing any of the Real Housewives franchises, or Andy Cohen's show (which is part of that same universe), it airs the same movies you find on other NBCU outlets including E, USA and SyFy.  And that is the problem with so many cable outlets by Paramount, ABC and NBCU - the same shows and movies are broadcast on all of them.

[MediaZone4K 1872]

On 11/5/2024 at 6:00 PM, NowBergen said:

Except when not airing any of the Real Housewives franchises, or Andy Cohen's show (which is part of that same universe), it airs the same movies you find on other NBCU outlets including E, USA and SyFy.  And that is the problem with so many cable outlets by Paramount, ABC and NBCU - the same shows and movies are broadcast on all of them.

Exactly! How many cable networks/ota syndication channels air Friends and Law & Order SVU reruns?? Too many.

 

I wish cable executives acknowledged that the abandonment of niche programming in favor of reality shows, syndicated sitcom reruns and movies also killed cable.

On 10/31/2024 at 4:54 PM, tyrannical bastard said:

Let's face it, after this election saga is over (which may drag on for some time afterwards as long as DJT has a pulse), what will MSNBC do? 

It's existence is to solely conquer Fox "News" and counterbalance all of the stuff they put out.

Well looks like MSNBC's shelf life just got extended another four years.

 

I don't like MSNBC but I can see why they're popular. Like Fox and unlike CNN they have strong personalities that can pull an audience and market projects like books and podcasts. A podcast by Rachel Maddow is more of a draw factor than Who's Talking to Chris Wallace.

 

MSNBC is also leftist comfort food. It's an echo chamber where they don't bring on dissenting voices. Because everyone mostly agrees you don't get smackdown scream TV like CNN.

Edited November 7 by MediaZone4K

[ABC 7 Denver 1651]

9 minutes ago, MediaZone4K said:

Exactly! How many cable networks/ota syndication channels air Friends and Law & Order SVU reruns?? Too many.

 

I wish cable executives acknowledged that the abandonment of niche programming in favor of reality shows, syndicated sitcom reruns and movies also killed cable.

Well looks like MSNBC's shelf life just got extended another four years.

 

I don't like MSNBC but I can see why they're popular. Like Fox and unlike CNN they have strong personalities that can pull an audience and market projects like books and podcasts. A podcast by Rachel Maddow is more of a draw factor than Who's Talking to Chris Wallace.

 

MSNBC is also leftist comfort food. It's an echo chamber where they don't bring on dissenting voices. Because everyone mostly agrees you don't get smackdown scream TV like CNN.

 

Hardly leftist watch MSNBC. Neo Libs love it. Leftists don't have cable.

[MD TV 218]

6 hours ago, ABC 7 Denver said:

 

Hardly leftist watch MSNBC. Neo Libs love it. Leftists don't have cable.

And even if they did have cable they’d be turned off by the numerous never-Trump Republicans the network has.