NBC News lays off graphics staff as MSNBC, CNBC near Versant spinoff
Fewer than a dozen graphics staffers laid off as MSNBC and CNBC prepare to join Versant in a tax-free spinoff; MSNBC will rebrand as MS NOW.
NBC News confirmed that it has laid off fewer than a dozen staffers who provided graphics support for both NBC News and MSNBC as Comcast accelerates the separation of MSNBC, CNBC and related properties into Versant, the new publicly traded company planned to debut by the end of 2025. The Status newsletter, citing insiders, reported the cuts as the first round in what is expected to be a broader wave of changes tied to Versant’s launch.
Fewer than a dozen full‑time graphics employees, and a number of freelancers, were affected by the moves, according to people with knowledge of the process. Some employees shifted to Versant, others remained with NBC News, and several were cut entirely as the graphics unit was reorganized to separate functions once shared across the two operations.
The corporate deal will move MSNBC and CNBC into Versant, joining other networks such as USA Network, SYFY, E!, and Golf Channel, along with digital properties including Rotten Tomatoes, Fandango and GolfNow. Comcast will retain NBC’s broadcast network, Peacock, Telemundo, Bravo, Universal Studios and its theme parks. The transaction is structured to be tax-free for Comcast shareholders, who will receive shares in the new company. Versant is expected to begin with about $7 billion in annual revenue and relatively little debt, a balance designed to give the new entity stability as a standalone cable-and-digital player.
Starting Oct. 20, NBC News staffers will no longer appear on MSNBC. Joint editorial meetings will end, and the two operations will no longer share content except for NBC’s Decision Desk, which MSNBC will use through the end of the year for election coverage. The spinoff also includes the rebranding of MSNBC as MS NOW, set to take effect in November, with new studios planned in New York. Executives say marquee programs and anchors will largely remain, and the network will push to expand reporting and coverage as it asserts its independence from NBC.
Versant executives have begun building an independent newsroom and standards operation to replace NBC’s editorial support. CNBC, which has long operated with a degree of separation from NBC News, will also move into Versant but will maintain its branding and core business mission as a business-news outlet.
Analysts expect little disruption beyond governance changes, with the biggest visible shift being MSNBC shedding the NBC name and peacock logo. MS NOW has already struck a deal with Sky News to provide global coverage as part of the broader initiative.
The layoffs in the graphics unit are seen as the opening salvo of a broader corporate overhaul tied to Versant’s launch, a move that will realign NBC’s news and entertainment properties under a separate corporate banner while preserving key brands on each side of the split.