Jeff Bezos, Amazon.com Inc (NASDAQ:AMZN)'s founder and owner of The Washington Post newspaper, is considering acquiring CNBC, according to a report by the New York Post.
The billionaire entrepreneur has reportedly expressed interest to business associates in buying the business-focused cable network once it is spun off by parent company Comcast later this year.
The spin-off, expected to take place in late 2025, will see Comcast bundle CNBC with other cable assets, including MSNBC, USA Network, and E!, into a new company called Versant, to be led by NBCUniversal executive Mark Lazarus.
Sources close to Bezos told the publication that he views CNBC as a strong strategic fit within his media holdings, particularly for its comparatively neutral editorial tone and solid brand in business journalism.
CNBC, known for flagship programs like Squawk Box and Mad Money with Jim Cramer, could offer Bezos a stabilizing counterbalance to the challenges facing The Washington Post, which has faced internal upheaval in recent months, including staff protests, layoffs, and subscriber losses amid shifts in editorial direction.
No formal bid has been submitted nor has Bezos approached Comcast directly, the sources said.
Bezos has also been linked to other potential media investments, including Vogue or its parent company Condé Nast, with this speculation fuelled by his wife Lauren Sánchez’s ties to the fashion and entertainment industries.