Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon and current owner of The Washington Post, may be looking to buy CNBC, one of the top business news channels in the U.S. This opportunity could open up after Comcast spins off its cable and entertainment channels into a new company called Versant later in 2025. While no official offer has been made, sources say Bezos is watching the situation closely.
Buying CNBC could be a smart move for Bezos. It would fit well with The Washington Post, giving him a major platform in financial news. Some believe CNBC’s image as a “neutral” news source could help balance recent criticism that The Washington Post has become too one-sided. This potential deal also shows Bezos’s growing interest in media—he has already been linked to other outlets like Vogue and Condé Nast.
But the deal won’t be easy or quick. CNBC is expected to be one of Versant’s most valuable assets. All of Versant’s cable channels, including CNBC, MSNBC, USA Network, and E!, brought in about $7 billion in revenue last year. If CNBC is priced on its own, experts say it could be worth several billion dollars.
There are also legal and tax barriers. After the spin-off, Versant won’t be able to sell off major parts like CNBC for at least two years without facing heavy tax penalties. Comcast and Versant are also not planning to sell CNBC right now. Their focus is on growing the network further on their own.
Still, Bezos has the money to make such a big move. With a net worth of over $240 billion, he could easily afford CNBC. But it’s not yet clear if he wants to spend that much on a media asset that won’t be available right away.
Adding CNBC to his media empire could help Bezos address criticism about his influence on news coverage. It might also bring back trust from business-minded audiences and offer new ways to grow his media investments.