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March 4, 2005 10:02 AM PST

Microsoft to pull out of MSNBC?

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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.

See more CNET content tagged:
stake, General Electric Co., Microsoft Corp.

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MSNBC is a Joke
by March 4, 2005 12:00 PM PST
I quit watching it some time ago. The cable news channels have become a bad joke, including MSNBC. I'd rather read CNET.
Reply to this comment
somewhat agree
by David Arbogast March 6, 2005 2:57 PM PST
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.

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.
well
by simcity1976 March 4, 2005 12:14 PM PST
as long as the portal deosn't change I'm ok with it. I love the msnbc portal page.
Reply to this comment
MSNBC Boots Up Well
by HansinYabutay March 4, 2005 1:20 PM PST
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.
Reply to this comment
Video Feed
by kirkules March 5, 2005 11:41 AM PST
Maybe now after the sale, the online video feed will become
compatible with all operating systems.
Reply to this comment
Speaking of compatibility...
by TimeBomb March 5, 2005 4:04 PM PST
I'd be happy with their damned videos simply being compatible with non-MSIE browsers on the WINDOWS platform.
Will XXNC now...
by Earl Benser March 5, 2005 4:57 PM PST
.. disconnect itself from IE and Windows Media (and Real too)?
This would be an opportune time to to become a universally
useable site for Mac, PC, Linux, or whatever, without requiring
specific browsers or video media programs.

It really would take only a little bit of intelligent web site design,
and having MS quit forcing defective programming.
Reply to this comment
Will XXNBC now...
by Earl Benser March 5, 2005 4:58 PM PST
.. disconnect itself from IE and Windows Media (and Real too)?
This would be an opportune time to to become a universally
useable site for Mac, PC, Linux, or whatever, without requiring
specific browsers or video media programs.

It really would take only a little bit of intelligent web site design,
and having MS quit forcing defective programming.
Reply to this comment
Let's hope so. The site is Wintel only.
by technewsjunkie March 6, 2005 6:58 PM PST
I'm a big fan of CNBC (I mean MSnbc) TV.
When MS bought them the CNBC website changed.
The video content was Windows Media only, no longer Real or
Quicktime. My browser would no longer work. The links became
predominantly MS related.

The kicker was that MS, a convicted monopolist, is tying up one
of the most popular financial websites with proprietary
technologies. Boooo!
Reply to this comment
Nevermind. Wrong website. Ugh.
by technewsjunkie March 6, 2005 7:04 PM PST
Sorry.
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