MSNOW

[malaise]

Versant

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Versant

Versant Media Group Inc. is an upcoming American media company to be formed by Comcast through the spin-off of most of NBCUniversal's U.S. cable networks (including USA Network, MSNBC, Syfy, CNBC, and Golf Channel among others) and related digital properties.

[hlthe2b]

1. Honestly, that grouping can't make it on its own (unless the Golf Channel is more popular than I realize)

Right now, one has to have a full cable package, or YouTube TV, Hulu+ TV, Sling, or another of the more comprehensive packages to get it--there is no standalone streaming service. ESPN was smart to tie its streaming service to Hulu and Disney+ (no matter how one may feel about any of them). Any such stream for MSNOW-Versant is going to have to do so too IMO.

I feel as I once did about Air America Radio--that decisions are being made to ensure their demise. I hope I am wrong.

[malaise]

4. I think you are correct

Rec

[yardwork]

16. Cable is on its way out.

It's possible this business decision is putting all the products that are close to obsolete in one basket. I don't know what happens then - some kind of vulture capitalism that lets the product line die a profitable death? At least profitable for someone.

[Mike Nelson]

2. "Nothing is going to change," say their...

... promotional ads, featuring Rachel and the regular hosts. "Nothing is going to change," to me, means stuff is going to change (and not for better). We'll see.

[Lovie777]

3. More propaganda ...............

[Hugin]

5. Syfy could get worse?

[snowybirdie]

6. Anyone know

How this affects cable packages we currently have?

[peachpit24]

11. Cable

Buckeye cable has informed us they will no longer provide cnbc, msnbc, syfy because NBC is charging too much for the service. We will have to go to streaming paramount+ if we want those channels. Also USA channel. I've had Buckeye for a long time. I am going to cancel and probably go to Frontier cable and youtube

[snowybirdie]

17. We receive cable

As part of Condo HOA package. I'll have to contact them

[TheBlackAdder]

14. I cut the TV cord and just kept internet after a large rate hike.

I almost always used the premium movie channels which meant the Verizon Ultimate HD package. I was paying $220 a month for it, but only used it 4 hours a day. Verizon boosted my plan to over $280 a month and I canceled everything except for the internet service.

I never thought I could do without TV, like how others before me were saying how they did it. To my surprise, after the first weaning month, I never missed it anymore. I found an extra $2400 a year

[Katinfl]

7. When does this take place?

I thought they were just changing the name. Didn’t realize they were not going to be part of NBC anymore. Am I correct?

[lastlib]

8. They won't be part of NBC.

The name change to MSNOW happens Nov. 15th--less than ten days.

[Queso Delicioso]

9. Makes sense if you think about it

If they were still going to be NBC they'd hardly strike it from the masthead, as it were

[617Blue]

10. Another media entity I will ignore.

[Deminpenn]

12. I believe MSNOW will still be owned by Comcast, but

just not part of NBC. Comcast uses these cable channels for its sports portfolio, too. With the Winter Olympics arriving in Feb, they'll be using USA and the other cable channels to broadcast the full range of winter olympic events.

Right now, MSNBC is on the tier above the one where FoxNews and CNN are. If you have that tier, you should continue to get MSNOW. But maybe Comcast will put MSNOW on the same lower tier as FoxNews and CNN. The network is carried by SiriusXM and on the SiriusXM app as well.

Chris Hayes' promo for the new name explaned that the network will be moving to new studio, but not sure if that's just within 30 Rock or at another location.

MSNOW is also hiring their own reporters and analysts. They've already got Carol Leoning, who is a top notch journalist, from the WaPo. They can probably pick up some great staffers from those fired at CBS and the other networks who are busy trying to please Trump.

[malaise]

13. Same here

Rec

[SocialDemocrat61]

18. Their new studio is in Times Square

where they drop the ball and Anderson Cooper humiliates himself every New Years Eve.

[kentuck]

15. I wonder how long Rachel and Nicolle will be there?

And Lawrence?

[snowybirdie]

19. Contacted my provider

They said no change in service. All will continue as is.