Elon Musk has indicated potential interest in acquiring MSNBC, a left-leaning media network, following a suggestion from Donald Trump Jr. on social media. Trump Jr. tagged Musk in a post that humorously proposed the idea, to which Musk responded, 'How much does it cost?'
This exchange occurred in the context of Comcast's announcement to create a new publicly traded company, referred to as SpinCo, which will include MSNBC, CNBC, and other cable channels. This reorganization is a response to declining ratings across these networks.
MSNBC's ratings have reportedly dropped significantly since Donald Trump's election victory, with notable declines following a meeting between the network's co-hosts Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski and Trump at Mar-a-Lago. Their show, 'Morning Joe,' has seen viewership decrease by 45% in the key demographic of ages 25-54 since the election.
Despite speculation about a sale, Comcast has clarified that neither MSNBC nor CNBC is currently for sale. The restructuring aims to separate traditional cable operations from streaming services, with SpinCo managing the cable networks while NBC News remains under Comcast's direct oversight.
Comcast's recent financial report indicated revenues exceeding $32 billion, with a profit of $1.12 per share. The spin-off is anticipated to be completed within a year, pending necessary approvals.