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> The takeover will go into effect January 28, 2011 following the Comcast company’s next pay cycle. <ref> http://www.mediabistro.com/tvnewser/done-deal-fcc-department-of-justice-approve-comcast-nbc-universal-acquisition_b48942 </ref> Once the deal closes, Comcast will acquire a 51 percent stake in NBC Universal from General Electric Co, creating a $30 billion business that would include broadcast, cable networks, movie studios and theme parks. <ref> http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20110118/bs_nm/us_nbc_comcast_13 </ref> Some liberals fear that Comcast might turn into a more conservative outlet. They fear that Comcast would fire all their beloved liberal voices on MSNBC. <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> The takeover will go into effect January 28, 2011 following the Comcast company’s next pay cycle. <ref> http://www.mediabistro.com/tvnewser/done-deal-fcc-department-of-justice-approve-comcast-nbc-universal-acquisition_b48942 </ref> Once the deal closes, Comcast will acquire a 51 percent stake in NBC Universal from General Electric Co, creating a $30 billion business that would include broadcast, cable networks, movie studios and theme parks. <ref> http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20110118/bs_nm/us_nbc_comcast_13 </ref> Some liberals fear that Comcast might turn into a more conservative outlet. They fear that Comcast would fire all their beloved liberal voices on MSNBC. <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> Some critics and supporters of Keith Olbermann blame Comcast for his firing from MSNBC.

== Low Ratings ==

== Low Ratings ==