MSNBC may no longer be able to use NBC News’ newsgathering from around the globe, so it’s turning to another Comcast-backed journalism outlet.
MSNBC struck a pact with Sky News that will make the latter organization’s coverage of international affairs available to MSNBC’s audiences in the United States. The deal, billed as “multi-year,” commences October 1 — five days ahead of initial moves that will separate the journalism resources of NBC News from MSNBC as the cable network prepares for a spin off later this year into a new company called Versant.
“In this moment of consequential and historic news events happening around the world that are rapidly reshaping our collective future, we are honored to bring Sky News’ premium, on-the-ground reporting and roster of top journalists to the MSNBC community,” said Rebecca Kutler, MSNBC’s president, in a prepared statement. The network is about to take the NBC out of MSNBC by renaming itself MS NOW, focusing on news, opinion and goings-on around the world. And as it separates from NBC News, Kutler has been hiring many journalists in a bid to stand up a new staff to cover the workings of Washington, D.C.
Ian Sherwood, who spent ten years in leadership roles tied to NBC News’ international newsgathering efforts, will serve as the MSNBC’s new director of international newsgathering. He will work closely with Tim Singleton. head of international new for Sky. Sherwood had worked closely for many years with Richard Engel, one of NBC News’ most recognized overseas reporters.
Sky News has 11 international bureaus, with reporters and producers stationed in Beijing, Jerusalem, Johannesburg, and Moscow, among other places. The company boasts more than 500 journalists on its overall staff. MSNBC will be able to draw upon Sky News experts and correspondents as breaking international news unfolds.
NBC News has long utilized Sky reporting, and its coverage has been seen during moments of critical news coverage, when outlets like NBC News Now and MSNBC offer the same feed across many hours. Sky also plays a role in a joint podcast project that features correspondents Yalda Hakim and Richard Engel, and is expected to continue working with NBC News. Comcast paid $39 million in 2018 to become majority owner of Sky.
Several U.S. outlets rely on overseas news operations for help in covering the globe. CBS News struck a deal in 2017 with BBC News to share resources — a partnership that previously involved Sky. And NBC News and Sky in 2020 planned to launch an international joint venture called NBC Sky World News, a news service aimed at English-speaking audiences around the globe. The initiative had to be scrapped months later due to the economic effects of the coronavirus pandemic.
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For its part, Sky News is working to move beyond its traditional ad-sponsored linear-TV business. To do so, the company is looking at different kinds of revenue streams, including partnerships and content distribution deals. “Sky News journalists across the globe deliver award-winning journalism every day. This partnership with Versant will put that eyewitness reporting in front of even greater audiences in the U.S. and around the world,” David Rhodes, executive chairman of Sky News Group, in a statement. ” We’re delighted to get to work with their creative and entrepreneurial team.”
(Above, pictured: MSNBC President Rebecca Kutler and Sky News Executive Chairman David Rhodes)
From Variety US