Tech billionaire Elon Musk hints at plans to purchase MSNBC, sparking discussions about his growing influence in media.
Elon Musk, owner of X and an ally of Donald Trump, has expressed interest in possibly purchasing the left-leaning MSNBC channel. This comes amidst rumors that its parent company, Comcast, might be contemplating a sale due to the network’s declining ratings.
On Wednesday, Comcast revealed plans to create a separate media holding company called SpinCo by spinning off various subsidiaries, including USA Network, CNBC, MSNBC, and other networks. The company described the move as beneficial by highlighting that the new entity would be well-capitalized,”ideally positioned for success and highly appealing to investors.” However, media reports offered a contrasting viewpoint.
According to the New York Post, which referenced an MSNBC insider, there is widespread panic among the network’s staff due to uncertainty. Executives are reportedly contemplating changes involving the network’s name, logo, and even its headquarters.
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Meanwhile, Nielsen ratings indicate that MSNBC’s daily viewership has dropped by 38% following Trump’s victory over Democrat Kamala Harris in the presidential election. CNN also experienced a decrease in viewers, with numbers falling by 27% compared to pre-election figures, according to Nielsen data.
In response to rumors about MSNBC, Donald Trump Jr. posted a picture of the network’s logo with “For Sale, Best Offer” written on it and tagged Musk on X, claiming he had just thought of “the funniest idea ever.” The billionaire playfully replied by asking, “How much does it cost?”
The exact value of MSNBC’s assets is uncertain, but Comcast Corporation has a market capitalization of $166 billion. Elon Musk holds the title of the richest person globally with an estimated net worth of approximately $314 billion. In October 2022, he acquired Twitter, now referred to as X, for $44 billion.
Podcaster and Trump supporter Joe Rogan chimed in as well, expressing to Musk his desire to take over the role of MSNBC anchor Rachael Maddow if the acquisition happens. “I’ll wear the same outfit and glasses, and I’ll tell the same lies,” he joked. The billionaire responded with: “Deal.”
