In a surprising move that underscores the shifting sands of the media landscape, Comcast-Universal announced plans to spin off its cable television division into a standalone entity.

This marks a significant step for the conglomerate, as the traditional cable television model struggles to remain relevant amid accelerating cord-cutting trends. The spin-off will include many of NBC-U’s cable properties, such as CNBC, USA Network, SyFy, and The Golf Channel, along with digital outlets like Rotten Tomatoes and Fandango. Interestingly, Bravo, a notable cable mainstay, will stay under NBC-U’s control.

The newly formed entity, slated to launch at the start of the new year, will be helmed by a team of NBC executives.

The reaction to Scar-Joe and Mike meeting Trump was visceral.
Right after they announced they spoke with him their dismal ratings fell even further within that hour.https://t.co/pNfge2Q4ra

— Brad Slager: CNN+ Lifetime Subscriber (@MartiniShark) November 20, 2024

Despite profitability on paper, the outlook for cable networks is grim. Viewership continues to dwindle, and the broader cable sector’s long-term viability looks increasingly shaky. This separation suggests NBC-U is intent on streamlining its focus, keeping hold of its broadcast division, which still generates revenue largely through live sports.

Sports, in fact, dominate modern viewership statistics — a reality highlighted by the staggering fact that 93 of the top 100 most-watched broadcasts last year were NFL games. For cable, the lack of such programming magnifies its vulnerability.

MSNBC, NBC-U’s progressive-leaning news channel, finds itself in particularly dire straits. Already under fire for journalistic lapses, such as revelations of Al Sharpton’s financial entanglement with the Kamala Harris campaign, the network has faced a sharp decline in ratings since Donald Trump’s recent election victory.

Audience numbers plummeted by more than 50% in the immediate aftermath, with little sign of recovery. Controversies continued to mount when “Morning Joe” co-hosts publicly admitted to meeting with Trump at Mar-a-Lago, further alienating their core audience.

The spinoff raises questions about MSNBC’s future. Will the network pivot toward more balanced coverage, or will it double down on its partisan approach, untethered from corporate oversight? Could cost-cutting measures and talent reshuffles be on the horizon?

Additionally, the relationship between MSNBC and NBC News remains uncertain. Will they maintain close ties, or will there be a conscious effort to distance the two entities?