MSNBC and CNBC to merge?
Tim Arango in the NY Post writes today that NBC is considering taking MSNBC and CNBC and putting them under one roof and having that roof be in New Jersey. (hat tip: TVNewser) Money quotes…
NBC is searching for an executive to run the combined operation, who would report to Jeff Zucker, president of the NBC Universal Television Group, sources said.
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One source said that while the combined news operation is likely to be based in New Jersey — where MSNBC and CNBC are housed
I can see tactical reasons for combining the two together under one roof and MSNBC in particular would benefit from a new building with more control rooms. MSNBC has only two control rooms and they are almost constantly busy now that Early Today/First Look is broadcasting from MSNBC, Imus is being broadcast from MSNBC, and Hardball and various other M-Fr programs are taped. This leaves little room for taping additional shows (to air on the Weekend for example). And there really isn’t space left in the building to add a third control room. MSNBC could use a new building.
On the other hand, CNBC just moved in to a brand new building only last year. It is state of the art. To now uproot CNBC at this point would be a pretty large financial hit to take. Also, combining CNBC and MSNBC operations won’t help solve the MSNBC/NBC News synergy problems that have plagued MSNBC since day 1.
Reuters write-up also whispers the “NBC News Channel” rumor again. I agree that it makes sense to put them in the same building — and I also agree that it doesn’t help much in the synergy realm. May save some money though. CNN & CNNfn were both based in Atlanta — so this has some precedent.
Comment by WestCoastBlogger — June 30, 2005 @ 1:56 pm
Although it probably doesn’t make any real difference, having CNBC headquartered not in NYC but in New Jersey seems odd.
Comment by johnny dollar — June 30, 2005 @ 2:31 pm
CNNfn was based in NYC. The ONLY CNN channel based outside of Atlanta!
ALSO maybe once they (cnbc, MSNBC) are all under one roof they will share resources. Only makes sense to me.
Comment by Hairy — June 30, 2005 @ 3:00 pm
I don’t know what’s so odd about CNBC being headquartered in New Jersey. Its building already is…
Comment by Spud — June 30, 2005 @ 3:05 pm
Just strikes me as odd to HQ your business news channel not in NYC but in another state. Sort of like anchoring a space shuttle take-off from Louisiana–no reason you can’t do it, but, just, strange.
Comment by johnny dollar — June 30, 2005 @ 3:39 pm
It’s right across the river from Manhatten. It’s not that far from the action. But the real estate is much cheaper. From a business standpoint I can see why.
Comment by Spud — June 30, 2005 @ 3:48 pm