Comcast Considering Spinning Off Cable Networks

[JTT 111]

When Comcast sells off it's cable networks, including USA & cnbc,  will they just move whatever sports programming that currently airs on those networks over to peacock?

[NowBergen 679]

11 minutes ago, JTT said:

When Comcast sells off it's cable networks, including USA & cnbc,  will they just move whatever sports programming that currently airs on those networks over to peacock?

Depends on what they decide. All we know is that the cable stations except Bravo will be spun off (not sold).  Probably moving to Peacock is the end game but they can also license to the new entity for broadcast on USA etc for a specified period.  Golf rights could also be split between NBC and the new company for airing on both the network and Golf Channel.  They can take this approach with the Olympics too in 2026.  For now it is all speculation as they have a lot to figure out and nothing has been publicly announced other than the planned spin off..  

[JTT 111]

I think they should move all their cable sports programming to bravo network, as well as peacock. 

 

Comcast will spin off most of their cable networks to a new company,.  Eventually,  they will sell that new company if a buyer makes a good offer for the new company, is that correct?

[JTT 111]

I don't understand why they would want to sell USA network.  It's still one of the most watched cable networks and profitable.  Instead of keeping bravo, why not move the programs that are on that network to peacock or combine it with the programming on USA network. 

 

I could imagine them combining cnbc & msnbc into one channel.  They should remove some of the opinionated programs and just focus on reporting on the news & more in depth coverage or reporting of the days top stories.

 

With the other channels /  networks,  I think they should have just shut them down and move the successful programs on those networks to peacock.  I don't think the  new company will be successful. 

[Reweivvt88 46]

34 minutes ago, JTT said:

I don't understand why they would want to sell USA network.  It's still one of the most watched cable networks and profitable.  Instead of keeping bravo, why not move the programs that are on that network to peacock or combine it with the programming on USA network. 

 

I could imagine them combining cnbc & msnbc into one channel.  They should remove some of the opinionated programs and just focus on reporting on the news & more in depth coverage or reporting of the days top stories.

 

With the other channels /  networks,  I think they should have just shut them down and move the successful programs on those networks to peacock.  I don't think the  new company will be successful. 

 

Long term who knows how successful any cable network will be, but right now the NBCU cable networks part of the spin-off are profitable with billions in revenue, so shutting them down doesn't really make a lot of sense. Not to mention, shutting everything down and moving all the shows to the currently unprofitable peacock just increases expenses for peacock. If a show is successful on E! or Oxygen, it makes sense to keep the show on that network and have that network cover the majority of the costs instead of shifting the cost of the show exclusively to peacock where the show might not even perform as well. Same goes for moving Bravo shows exclusively to peacock. It makes more sense for NBC to keep Bravo and have the profitable network finance shows which can then perform well on peacock, and peacock doesn't have to cover the majority of the costs. 

 

I don't see how it makes sense for MSNBC & CNBC to merge into one channel. Both networks are highly profitable on their own and target different audiences. Besides weekend marathons of Lockup, left wing opinion programming is the only thing MSNBC has had success with. While I as a news junkie like them to cover news, I accept that there are so many news channels out there covering news, and MSNBC is the 2nd most watched news channel because it focuses on left wing opinion. Whenever they do focus on non-political news their ratings fall behind CNN, I still think they need to cover non-political news as a news channel and I'm disappointed with their lack of coverage for major international news stories over the past few years, but it's hard to deny how successful they have become focusing on politics with the left leaning view. 

Edited December 17, 2024 by Reweivvt88

[channel2 978]

USA is basically the general entertainment cable network, something that is considered a liability nowadays because streamers have eaten up much of their value proposition. But it's still one of the biggest cable networks and knowing that "USA Networks" has a history as a corporate moniker, I think using that for this company would be a good idea.

[mre29 1513]

On 12/17/2024 at 2:40 PM, channel2 said:

USA is basically the general entertainment cable network, something that is considered a liability nowadays because streamers have eaten up much of their value proposition. But it's still one of the biggest cable networks and knowing that "USA Networks" has a history as a corporate moniker, I think using that for this company would be a good idea.

 

I like this idea. They could also move Syfy's few remaining original series to USA, leave Syfy's mix of popular movies (only some of which are sci-fi or fantasy), and rebrand itas USA2 or even USA Movies.

 

[NowBergen 679]

Way back prior to being fully bought by NBCUniversal, the company that included USA and SciFi was called USA Networks.  The down side is if SpinCo goes international, the name may not work.

[channel2 978]

They went international in the joint venture days and they still used the name! And look at Marvel parading Captain America throughout the world!

 

I'm not keen on scrapping Syfy for a subordinate brand of USA.

[JTT 111]

According to this article,  Comcast will still be in control of NBCU as well as spinco when it splits its cable networks from NBCU.  So, are they selling spinco, or just separating the company, but keeping control of both of them?

 

https://deadline.com/2025/01/spinco-nbcuniversal-programming-strategy-val-boreland-1236253204/

[Jase 1042]

1 hour ago, JTT said:

According to this article,  Comcast will still be in control of NBCU as well as spinco when it splits its cable networks from NBCU.  So, are they selling spinco, or just separating the company, but keeping control of both of them?

 

https://deadline.com/2025/01/spinco-nbcuniversal-programming-strategy-val-boreland-1236253204/

 

It's been clear from the start that Comcast will control both companies. The sticking points have been trying to untangle Spinco from NBCU because nearly every business/entertainment unit is tied together (to some degree). It's going to take months for the dust to settle before there's a clear picture.

 

That said, it's possible that Comcast will sell Spinco completely, sell a majority/minority stake or continue to fully own it. Keep in mind that whatever happens won't happen overnight.

 

Also worth-noting is this......

 

NBCUniversal Shutting Down Universal Kids Cable Network

[JTT 111]

I was under the impression that they would no longer be in control since the reason of splitting the channels to a separate company is to sell them.

[channel2 978]

It sounds like it's akin to the CBS/Viacom split, where Sumner Redstone still controlled both - although he clearly favored Viacom, which kept the "sexier" Paramount Pictures, MTV Networks and BET, over CBS.

[NowBergen 679]

The article clearly states there is much to still be determined in unwinding "SpinCo" from the current NBCUniversal, including NBCU's structure.  It again reiterates it is a spin off, to shareholders, not a wholly owed new Comcast division.  It will have its own stock, its own board (who we don't know the members yet) and make its own decisions.  How it interacts with NBCU, especially on providing content is to be determined and complicated.  

[Glimmer 281]

MSNBC to keep its name post-spinoff 

[MediaZone4K 2158]

My early guess is that the peacock logo goes so viewers still don't associate it with NBC. 

[mre29 1513]

8 hours ago, Glimmer said:

MSNBC to keep its name post-spinoff 

 

No surprise there. Microsoft sold its share around twenty years ago, and few people think of that company when they watch or think of MSNBC or even see its name.

 

[JTT 111]

I'm not sure if I should ask this question here or in a different section or category,  but NBC new deal with the NBA includes WNBA games being aired on USA network.  Since USA will be part of spinco, will thus deal be changing so WNBA games will air on NBC or peacock instead?

[NowBergen 679]

33 minutes ago, JTT said:

I'm not sure if I should ask this question here or in a different section or category,  but NBC new deal with the NBA includes WNBA games being aired on USA network.  Since USA will be part of spinco, will thus deal be changing so WNBA games will air on NBC or peacock instead?

I'm sure this is one of the million questions and decisions NBC and SpinCo will be addressing over the next year.  It could be as you say, or 100% streaming or license some games to USA.  There are other sports that NBC has the rights to that air on USA including Premier League Soccer, A10 basketball, and others.  

[JTT 111]

I would think that since they're paying a lot of $ for NBA rights, as well as Nascar, EPL, & other sports airing on USA currently, Comcast would move those events to peacock or put them on Bravo once they've successfully separated the cable networks to Spinco.  

[JTT 111]

I know that his would probably not happen, but in my opinion,  I think some of these suggestions would have been the better solution.

 

Comcast should keep USA & possibly Bravo.

Merge CNBC & MSNBC - then, change their lineup

- Call it NBC News Network  (NNN)

Program during M-F daytime NNN News Reports, with sub titles including NNN News  reports - power lunch segments, closing bell, & so forth

Prime time would be NNN News Reports - with Analysis from Rachael Maddow, Lawrence o Donnel,  & Chris Hayes, but also include their top conservative analysts as well.  Don't have the the analysts host the show, but have your network personalities do that, like Lestor Holt, Tom Llamas. & others.

 

Weekend air sports or other news programs. 

 

Use the name of their other channels as brands & stream it on peacock.  Scy Fy on Peacock,  Oxygen network on Peacock,  E on Peacock, & so on. Or take their most popular shows on each network & combine them to be on USA as well as stream them on peacock  Then, shut down the other channels jf the channels continue to not be successful,  just like they did with Universal Kids.  Move programs & events from the golf channel to USA network.

[carolinanews4 376]

12 hours ago, JTT said:

Comcast should keep USA & possibly Bravo.

Merge CNBC & MSNBC - then, change their lineup

- Call it NBC News Network  (NNN)

Program during M-F daytime NNN News Reports, with sub titles including NNN News  reports - power lunch segments, closing bell, & so forth

Prime time would be NNN News Reports - with Analysis from Rachael Maddow, Lawrence o Donnel,  & Chris Hayes, but also include their top conservative analysts as well.  Don't have the the analysts host the show, but have your network personalities do that, like Lestor Holt, Tom Llamas. & others.

 

I appreciate your affinity for NBC and USA. While this is a creative take, it doesn't consider business realities. Cable channels have dual incomes: subscriber fees from cable operators and advertising. For a long time, they were the envy of the media world, but their revenue has shrunk with cord-cutting. (One can make a pretty compelling case that the cable channel programmers have made their ratings collapse a self-fulfilling prophecy, but that's a topic for another day.)  So, combining CNBC with MSNBC would eliminate a huge chunk of subscriber fees. Financially, they need to remain separate. Viewership-wise, they need to remain separate as their audiences are not similar.

 

USA and CNBC are two of the more widely available channels, and MSNBC has consistently been among the Top 5 cable channels in primetime viewership. That's why they are all part of SpinCo. The revenue from these three will drive the new company.  

 

Lastly, there's Peacock. As noted in the separation announcement, the cable channels being spun off account for very little of the content streamed on Peacock. Bravo content does well on Peacock, so it's staying put. NBCU is focusing on broadcast and streaming. They see a profitable future in Peacock and FAST channels like NBC News Now. But I did enjoy reading your creative ideas! 

[NowBergen 679]

Mark Lazarus shared today some interesting tidbits.  Evidently they will soon unveil the new company names.  CNBC will continue to be HQ'd in Englewood Cliffs NJ and will include some of MSNBC technical operations (I believe most of the cable technical operations are already at the same facility).  Both the new company HQ and MSNBC will continue to be HQ'd in Manhattan, at a site not identified. (This should put to rest any rumors of moving into the CNBC facility Telemundo 47 space (if they ever do move to 30 Rock)  or taking the Secaucus building back now that MLBN is moving to Elmwood Park NJ.  The Washington Bureau will be in the same building that NBC News is today (among others).

 

https://www.adweek.com/tvnewser/msnbc-remains-new-york-spinco/

[JTT 111]

On 2/24/2025 at 6:01 PM, carolinanews4 said:

 

I appreciate your affinity for NBC and USA. While this is a creative take, it doesn't consider business realities. Cable channels have dual incomes: subscriber fees from cable operators and advertising. For a long time, they were the envy of the media world, but their revenue has shrunk with cord-cutting. (One can make a pretty compelling case that the cable channel programmers have made their ratings collapse a self-fulfilling prophecy, but that's a topic for another day.)  So, combining CNBC with MSNBC would eliminate a huge chunk of subscriber fees. Financially, they need to remain separate. Viewership-wise, they need to remain separate as their audiences are not similar.

 

USA and CNBC are two of the more widely available channels, and MSNBC has consistently been among the Top 5 cable channels in primetime viewership. That's why they are all part of SpinCo. The revenue from these three will drive the new company.  

 

Lastly, there's Peacock. As noted in the separation announcement, the cable channels being spun off account for very little of the content streamed on Peacock. Bravo content does well on Peacock, so it's staying put. NBCU is focusing on broadcast and streaming. They see a profitable future in Peacock and FAST channels like NBC News Now. But I did enjoy reading your creative ideas! 

 

The issue that I don't understand is with the sports programming.   What will happen with the sports programming that appear on USA,  CNBC, & E networks once they officially separate from NBCU?  Will NBC move the sports to bravo and / or Peacock?  When Comcast made the deal with NBA to show games, they included wnba games to be shown on USA.   What was the point of doing that when they were considering spinning off USA with the other networks?

[Jase 1042]

43 minutes ago, JTT said:

 

The issue that I don't understand is with the sports programming.   What will happen with the sports programming that appear on USA,  CNBC, & E networks once they officially separate from NBCU?  Will NBC move the sports to bravo and / or Peacock?  When Comcast made the deal with NBA to show games, they included wnba games to be shown on USA.   What was the point of doing that when they were considering spinning off USA with the other networks?

 

Reportedly, all sports programming will continue to air on the spun off cable networks. Production will be outsourced (mostly to NBC Sports), however SpinCo will still have to build a team to 'manage its league deals' and create their own streaming products.