MSNBC staffers and stars are reportedly “in a panic” after the media giant Comcast confirmed reports that it was looking to spin off its cable news outlets.
Stars of the left-leaning network like Katy Tur, Rachel Maddow, and Chris Jansing reportedly joined a tense meeting led by NBCUniversal chairman Mark Lazarus to discuss what news of the spinoff meant, with staff curious about if MSNBC would have to change its name, logo, and headquarters, the New York Post reported.
Those with knowledge about the meeting said Lazarus didn’t offer much information about what it meant for them or whether there would be any changes, the outlet noted.
“Everyone is in a panic because everything is up in the air,” one MSNBC source told the outlet.
MSNBC staffers ‘in a panic’ as NBC-parent Comcast plans to spin off channel — and possibly change its name https://t.co/zZqHkEjmiB pic.twitter.com/VXk65kLGkY
— New York Post (@nypost) November 20, 2024
“People don’t really know what’s going on,” another source said. “They had the election, holidays are coming up. People are tired and just trying to get through.”
It comes following a report Wednesday by The New York Times that Comcast would spin off its cable news outlets MSNBC and CNBC along with channels like Oxygen, E!, Syfy, and the Golf Channel, for the new company.
The changes will reportedly not affect the broadcast newsgroup NBC News, NBC Sports, Telemundo, or streaming service Peacock and Bravo, which will still be under the umbrella of NBC Universal, the outlet noted.
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Those in the meeting said Lazarus likened the new company to a “well-funded start-up” which was reportedly good news to MSNBC stars.
An insider said Maddow told the NBC chairman, “It’s great to have you here on day one.”
And Tur reportedly said she “liked the sound of a ‘well-funded start-up.’”
While MSNBC president Rashida Jones told staff that “change is always complicated.”
“I don’t think anyone knows anything,” a source with knowledge told the outlet. “I think they have a year to figure this out.”
The news comes amid reports that ratings for cable news outlets like MSNBC and CNN have plummeted following the results of the 2024 election and President-elect Donald Trump’s victory, as previously reported.
Related: MSNBC And CNN Ratings Plummet Following Trump’s Landslide Victory