NBC takes control of MSNBC…
NBC announced today that it has taken a controlling share in MSNBC. The timing of this news two days before Christmas and the fact that they buried the release on NBCUMV’s website by putting it on the Corporate page but not the MSNBC, NBC News, or Main pages is curious. Though maybe I’m reading too much into that…
NBC Universal and Microsoft today announced a restructuring of the MSNBC cable news channel. Under the terms of the new agreement, NBC Universal has acquired a controlling interest in MSNBC and an option to acquire 100% of the cable channel within two years. NBC Universal and Microsoft have also reaffirmed their strong commitment to MSNBC.com, which will remain equally owned by both parties. Terms were not disclosed
“Acquiring a controlling interest in MSNBC will allow us to fully integrate the channel into our News operations and our overall cable platform. MSNBC is a critical component of NBC News’ success and has made some key viewership gains in recent months,” said Steve Capus, President, NBC News, NBC Universal. “Our partnership in the nation’s leading cable and broadcast news website, MSNBC.com, keeps us on the leading edge in the online world. This combination of assets is unrivaled in network news, and we look forward to continuing a productive relationship with Microsoft for many years to come.”“Together, Microsoft and NBC Universal have grown MSNBC.com to the No. 1 news site,” said Bruce Jaffe, Corporate Vice President, Microsoft. “We are totally committed to taking MSNBC.com to even higher levels of success through our unparalleled marriage of technological innovation and news content.”
MSNBC has been increasing its share of the cable news audience in the target demographic over the last half of 2005. In November MSNBC had a 20 percent share of the audience in the evening hours, only 4 share points behind CNN. This represents the smallest gap in nearly three years.
Potentially good news. Maybe with more oversight they will be more responsible in their reporting. Countdown with Olbermann is garbage.
Comment by Peter McCaffrey — December 23, 2005 @ 12:40 pm
Garbage? Hardly. He’s the one winning critical reviews from media critics all across the country. Meanwhile, Fox seems to get caught every single day fabricating or distorting one news story or another. And BTW–Countdown is the highest rated thing that MSNBC has and does particularly well in the key demo. He ain’t going anywhere. Dream on!
Comment by Mia2 — December 23, 2005 @ 3:52 pm
Media critics are all Liberals who go out of their way to celebrate themselves. Anyone who is rabid in their anti-American rhetoric is a hero, See Harold Pinter. The reason that Olbermann goes without scrutiny is because he is not taken seriously, and he has such a small viewership. It’s not worth the effort. Nancy Grace often doubles his ratings. He has a small block of loyal viewers who want thoughtless, uninterrupted Bush bashing. His viewership is small and stagnant. Not good for the bottom line.
Comment by Peter McCaffrey — December 23, 2005 @ 8:41 pm
Have you seen his demos? He beats Grace in the demos handly. He often beats Zahn in the demos. Hell, he manages to get half the numbers that O’Reilly does in the demos even though O’Reilly’s overall audience numbers by four or five times. And shove the “all the media critics are liberals” bit. They aren’t and you know it. The conservatives took over the “liberal” media a long time ago. Come on, Judy Miller was running a propaganda unit for BushCo out of the NY Times Bureau. Please man, get a grip on reality, okay? Oh–and the good news here is that eventually O’Reilly and Fox’s audience will die of extreme old age as it seems that their ages far exceed their IQ.
Comment by Mia2 — December 23, 2005 @ 9:21 pm