Changes

The MSNBC channel was started in 1996 as a joint venture between [[Microsoft]] and [[NBC]]. On December 23, 2005, ending a partnership that had soured long before, Microsoft and NBC announced that they would dissolve their joint ownership of the cable news channel, with NBC taking control. NBC completed a deal to assume majority control of the channel, with an 82% stake.<ref>[http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F30610F93E540C778EDDAB0994DD404482]</ref>

The MSNBC channel was started in 1996 as a joint venture between [[Microsoft]] and [[NBC]]. On December 23, 2005, ending a partnership that had soured long before, Microsoft and NBC announced that they would dissolve their joint ownership of the cable news channel, with NBC taking control. NBC completed a deal to assume majority control of the channel, with an 82% stake.<ref>[http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F30610F93E540C778EDDAB0994DD404482]</ref>

'''In 2010, parent company [[General Electric]] reached a tentative agreement with the [[France|French]] media conglomerate [[Vivendi]] that clears the way for the sale of NBC-Universal, including the flagship [[NBC]] network, to [[Comcast]], America’s largest cable operator.''' <ref>[http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/01/business/media/01deal.html New York Times; With Deal, G.E. Clears Path to Sale of NBC]</ref> <ref>[http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20101028/ARTICLE/10281045/2055/NEWS?p=2&tc=pg Sarasota Herald-Tribune; Corporate Report]</ref> Some liberals fear that when the merger between Comcast and NBC Universal is completed by November 15, MSNBC "would become conservative and turn into the next Fox News," since the CEO of Comcast is a conservative. They fear that all the liberal voices of MSNBC would be fired after that happens. <ref>http://newsbusters.org/blogs/noel-sheppard/2010/11/09/socialist-senator-wants-comcast-nbc-deal-blocked-due-olbermanns-suspe</ref> <ref>http://www.dailykos.com/story/2010/11/6/145630/235</ref>

'''In 2010, parent company [[General Electric]] reached a tentative agreement with the [[France|French]] media conglomerate [[Vivendi]] that clears the way for the sale of NBC-Universal, including the flagship [[NBC]] network, to [[Comcast]], America’s largest cable operator.''' <ref>[http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/01/business/media/01deal.html New York Times; With Deal, G.E. Clears Path to Sale of NBC]</ref> <ref>[http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20101028/ARTICLE/10281045/2055/NEWS?p=2&tc=pg Sarasota Herald-Tribune; Corporate Report]</ref> Some liberals fear that when the merger between Comcast and NBC Universal is completed by November 15, MSNBC "would become conservative and turn into the next Fox News," since the CEO of Comcast is a conservative. They fear that all the liberal voices of MSNBC would be fired after the merger is completed. <ref>http://newsbusters.org/blogs/noel-sheppard/2010/11/09/socialist-senator-wants-comcast-nbc-deal-blocked-due-olbermanns-suspe</ref> <ref>http://www.dailykos.com/story/2010/11/6/145630/235</ref>

== Low Ratings ==

== Low Ratings ==