Amazon billionaire Jeff Bezos is reportedly considering a bold move to acquire CNBC, the prominent cable network known for business programs like “Squawk Box” and “Mad Money with Jim Cramer,” according to sources familiar with the matter that talked with The New York Post. The 61-year-old e-commerce magnate has expressed interest in purchasing the network after its parent company, Comcast, spins off its cable assets, including CNBC, into a new publicly traded entity called Versant by year’s end.
Sources close to Bezos indicate that CNBC could serve as a “neutral voice” in his expanding media portfolio, a strategic addition following ongoing challenges with his ownership of The Washington Post. Acquired in 2013 for $250 million, the iconic newspaper has faced significant financial losses, layoffs, and staff protests over Bezos’ push to shift its editorial stance toward a more centrist, pro-capitalist perspective. The recent decision to forego endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election led to a reported 300,000 subscription cancellations, intensifying scrutiny of Bezos’ media ventures.
Comcast’s planned spinoff of its cable assets, which also include MSNBC, USA Network, and E!, will see CNBC integrated into Versant, led by NBCUniversal executive Mark Lazarus. While Comcast has not received a formal approach from Bezos, sources close to the cable giant suggest that Versant’s leadership is focused on growing CNBC rather than selling it. Adding complexity, any sale of major assets like CNBC within two years of the spinoff could trigger significant tax implications, potentially deterring a quick deal.
Bezos, currently ranked as the world’s fourth-richest person with a net worth of $241 billion according to Forbes, has not disclosed how much he might be willing to pay for CNBC. Comcast reported that Versant’s assets generated approximately $7 billion in revenue last year, though specific financials for CNBC remain undisclosed.
The potential acquisition comes amid Bezos’ high-profile personal and professional moves. Recently spotted vacationing with his wife, Lauren Sanchez, at Saint-Tropez’s exclusive Le Club 55, Bezos has also faced rumors of interest in acquiring Vogue or its parent company, Condé Nast, for Sanchez, a former TV reporter.
As Bezos navigates these challenges, his interest in CNBC signals a broader ambition to reshape his media empire, leveraging his vast wealth and influence to secure a foothold in business journalism. Whether Versant’s tax considerations or strategic priorities will allow such a deal remains uncertain, but Bezos’ potential move is sure to keep the media world watching.