Commentary

Major Changes For CNN, MSNBC To Come: More Digital, Streaming Dreams?

For some 24/7 cable TV news networks, changes are coming in 2025. But will this be big, breaking news?

One issue swirling around for some is what type of news content will exist in coverage of the second Trump Administration -- and whether an improving list of advertisers buy in.

A potential overhang comes via a recent decision by Walt Disney's ABC to settle and pay $15 million in a defamation lawsuit, where Trump was found liable for sexual abuse.

Typically, the heavy burden goes to public figures to prove defamation. But some TV networks -- like Disney/ABC -- may feel that it's better to move on quickly.

On top of all these clouds is the current industry status, which shows some major 24/7 cable TV news networks that continue to be in transition -- CNN and MSNBC among them.

One report says MSNBC will be undergoing some massive cuts and contract renegotiations of high-profile on-air personalities. MSNBC is part of the cable TV network group that is being spun off by Comcast Corp.

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What will it mean for MSNBC to lose its association with NBC News and its broadcast programming partners?

And what about the streaming platform, NBC News Now? This also affects business-focused channel CNBC, which will also be without the NBC News association.

It's not just the reporting and production loss, but whatever packaging leverage NBCU had when selling a bigger group of networks to advertisers and brands.

For sure, some of this packaging is more theoretical, as many TV news-focused advertisers and brands typically target older news-focused viewers -- including pharmaceutical, telecom and cause-related marketers.

For its part, CNBC has already looked to boost new revenue with a new CNBC+ streaming platform.

CNN is already moving to a somewhat similar territory -- looking to start a paywall for its print-focused CNN.com. This comes just about two years after when CNN quickly pulled its video streaming platform, CNN+, off the shelf.

Good news is that globally, CNN is still fairly strong -- a major TV news brand. CNN also has a major title on Warner Bros. Discovery's Max streaming service, CNN Max.

With CNBC's and CNN's new digital media products, it seems the hope is that core news and/or business news viewers will establish a foundation for new growth.

MSNBC's streaming future is another question mark. This includes a future relationship with NBCU's Peacock -- a streaming service that Comcast will keep amid its cable TV network spinoff, as well as NBC News Now.

Breaking news to come -- later.

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