Microsoft to pull out of MSNBC?

Microsoft could be about to pull out of cable news network MSNBC, according to a report.

Microsoft and NBC, joint owners of the network and its companion news portal, are in "advanced discussions" over the sale of the software giant's stake to NBC, according to The New York Post.

Under the potential deal, NBC would take sole control of the news company, with Microsoft having rights to use some of its online news content, according to the paper.

Microsoft's involvement in the venture, which cost it an initial investment of about $250 million, has never seen the hoped-for returns. The channel, which was created in 1996, saw its first quarterly profit last year.

Should Microsoft shed its involvement in the news venture, it wouldn't be the first time the software giant has distanced itself from a content provider. Last year, the company sold its Slate online publication to the Washington Post Co. It also previously sold its 70 percent stake in travel company Expedia.

Microsoft did not respond to requests for comment.

Jo Best of Silicon.com reported from London.

MSNBC is a Joke

I quit watching it some time ago. The cable news channels have become a bad joke, including MSNBC. I'd rather read CNET.

[David Arbogast]

somewhat agree

MSNBC is an overtly biased news source with many of their stories based on antecdotal evidence designed to promote an emotional response. Slate wasn't any better. It was probably a good move to partner with "news" companies in order to seed the market with useful technology... but I imagine more than a few execs are fed up with having "MS" attached to every BS story published. The ability to filter content from NBC and publish only what they choose will be beneficial to Microsoft. <br /><br />I completely disagree that CNet is an alternative, not only because they are also an overtly biased news source, but mainly because they don't cover anyhwere near the bredth of issues necessary to compete. Try CNN or Fox. Or better yet.... watch BOTH and make up your own mind.

[simcity1976]

well

as long as the portal deosn't change I'm ok with it. I love the msnbc portal page.

[HansinYabutay]

MSNBC Boots Up Well

MSNBC, the only M$ product that ever booted up the same way every time. No BSODs on my Panasonic, just the dulcet tones of Lester Holt.

[kirkules]

Video Feed

Maybe now after the sale, the online video feed will become <br />compatible with all operating systems.

[TimeBomb]

Speaking of compatibility...

I'd be happy with their damned videos simply being compatible with non-MSIE browsers on the WINDOWS platform.

[Earl Benser]

Will XXNC now...

.. disconnect itself from IE and Windows Media (and Real too)? <br />This would be an opportune time to to become a universally <br />useable site for Mac, PC, Linux, or whatever, without requiring <br />specific browsers or video media programs. <br /><br />It really would take only a little bit of intelligent web site design, <br />and having MS quit forcing defective programming.

[Earl Benser]

Will XXNBC now...

.. disconnect itself from IE and Windows Media (and Real too)? <br />This would be an opportune time to to become a universally <br />useable site for Mac, PC, Linux, or whatever, without requiring <br />specific browsers or video media programs. <br /><br />It really would take only a little bit of intelligent web site design, <br />and having MS quit forcing defective programming.

[technewsjunkie]

Let's hope so. The site is Wintel only.

I'm a big fan of CNBC (I mean MSnbc) TV.<br />When MS bought them the CNBC website changed. <br />The video content was Windows Media only, no longer Real or <br />Quicktime. My browser would no longer work. The links became <br />predominantly MS related.<br /><br />The kicker was that MS, a convicted monopolist, is tying up one <br />of the most popular financial websites with proprietary <br />technologies. Boooo!

[technewsjunkie]

Nevermind. Wrong website. Ugh.

Sorry.