MSNBC staff are grappling with uncertainty after Comcast announced a spin-off of several cable properties, including the network. Speculation about potential layoffs and rebranding has created panic among employees.
On Wednesday, NBCUniversal Chairman Mark Lazarus addressed MSNBC staff in a tense meeting at 30 Rockefeller Plaza. Stars like Rachel Maddow, Chris Jansing, and Katy Tur joined the session. Lazarus confirmed that the spin-off, forming a new entity called SpinCo, could impact MSNBC’s identity and operations.
Employees voiced concerns about layoffs, branding changes, and losing access to NBC News’ resources. Lazarus admitted he didn’t have all the answers but reassured staff that SpinCo would operate as a “well-funded start-up.”
Comcast’s decision places MSNBC alongside CNBC, Oxygen, SYFY, E!, and the Golf Channel in the new company. However, NBC News, Telemundo, Peacock, Bravo, and NBC Sports will remain under NBCUniversal.
The separation raises questions about MSNBC’s newsroom capabilities. Many journalists worry the network will struggle without NBC News’ shared resources, including reporters and contributors. MSNBC staff also asked if the network would need to build a news verification team from scratch.
While Lazarus couldn’t provide clear details, his presence offered some reassurance. Rachel Maddow remarked, “It’s great to have you here on day one.”
MSNBC’s challenges are compounded by declining viewership. Since Election Day, ratings have plummeted by 39%, averaging just 550,000 daily viewers, according to Nielsen. Primetime viewership has dropped 53%.
The network also faces broader industry issues like cord-cutting, as more viewers turn to streaming platforms for news. Analysts project MSNBC will lose 10.5% of its subscribers by the end of 2025, based on data from Kagan, part of S&P Global Intelligence.
Although uncertainty looms, staff hope for clearer answers as SpinCo develops its strategy over the next year.
MSNBC is projected to shed approximately 10.5% of its subscribers between the end of 2023 and the end of 2025, according to estimates from Kagan, a market-research firm that is part of S&P Global Intelligence.
