The landscape of cable news and business journalism saw notable shifts this week, as CNN’s Saturday morning program, First of All with Victor Blackwell, celebrated its 100th episode, while CNBC underwent a reorganization that included staff reductions. These developments reflect ongoing adjustments within the media industry as networks navigate evolving audience habits and economic pressures. The success of First of All, particularly its focus on communities of color, highlights a growing demand for diverse perspectives in national news coverage, while CNBC’s restructuring signals a broader trend toward integrating digital and television operations.
Launched in 2024, First of All has carved out a niche by centering national headlines that directly affect communities of color. Recent topics covered by the program include protests against ICE, the fallout from a racist video shared by former President Donald Trump depicting Barack and Michelle Obama as apes, environmental justice concerns in Alabama, and the diminishing presence of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. The program’s milestone was marked by a celebratory cake for the staff, a small gesture reflecting the team’s dedication to its mission.
A Focus on Underrepresented Voices
Victor Blackwell, host of First of All, emphasized the continuing relevance of the program’s focus. “Every week, the news cycle reaffirms why an hour that focuses on communities of color is necessary,” he said. Blackwell believes the show’s strength lies in its ability to “identify the unique angles and approaches to the big stories everyone is talking about—and elevate the stories and voices that should be part of the national conversation.”
Sidney Wright IV, the show’s executive producer, echoed this sentiment, stating, “When so much of the conversation focuses on the loudest voices, this show speaks to those communities that aren’t being heard. I believe that’s our biggest strength. Communities of color are impacted just as much as everyone else. We endeavor to find voices in those communities and provide them a chance to weigh in on the conversation.”
CNBC Restructuring and Layoffs
Meanwhile, CNBC has been undergoing a reorganization, resulting in the layoff of fewer than a dozen personnel. According to a spokesperson, the changes are “to align CNBC’s newsroom structure for the future” and are “not driven by cost-cutting.” The network anticipates hiring more than 40 new editorial roles over the next year across its television, digital, and direct-to-consumer platforms. Reuters reported that the overhaul is being led by David Cho, CNBC’s editor-in-chief, who is also preparing to introduce a paywall on the network’s website.
New Faces at CNBC and NBC News
Amidst the restructuring, CNBC has announced several personnel changes. Matt Peterson will join the network on March 2 as a senior economics writer, bringing his expertise in policy and economic analysis from his previous role at Barron’s. Emily Ngo has been appointed as NBC News’ newest newsletter writer/editor, focusing on the network’s daily newsletter, The Inside Scoop, after previously working at Politico.
Personal news note, part 2: It’s my first day at @NBCNews as a writer and editor of the Inside Scoop newsletter! Sign up here for a free trial (and then subscribe): https://t.co/QmAa2YbYtl Let’s go!!! pic.twitter.com/Ru3HAQhAQ9
— Emily Ngo (@emilyngo) February 23, 2026
MS NOW Ratings and Election Coverage
MS NOW is also experiencing positive momentum under the leadership of President Rebecca Kutler. In a recent profile with the Los Angeles Times, Kutler highlighted the network’s audience growth, reporting a 25% increase in daily viewership to 613,000 compared to the same period last year, according to Nielsen. Weeknight primetime viewership has risen by 27% to 1.2 million, and the 7 p.m. Ensemble program, The Weeknight, saw a 30% audience increase in January 2025.
Looking ahead, MS NOW has announced plans for special primetime coverage of the March 3 primary elections in Arkansas, North Carolina, and Texas. Rachel Maddow will lead the coverage, joined by a panel of prominent political commentators including Nicolle Wallace, Ari Melber, Chris Hayes, Lawrence O’Donnell, Stephanie Ruhle, Jen Psaki, Symone Sanders Townsend, Michael Steele, and Alicia Menendez.
📣 @ms.now to feature special coverage of the March 3 primary elections in Arkansas, North Carolina, and Texas.
Special coverage begins at 7 p.m. ET on Tuesday, March 3 on @ms.now .
Read more: bit.ly/46Xbe0s
— MS NOW Public Relations (@msnowcomms.bsky.social) February 25, 2026 at 4:14 PM
These developments – the continued growth of First of All, the restructuring at CNBC, and MS NOW’s expanding reach – underscore the dynamic nature of the news media landscape. The March 3 primaries will serve as the next key moment for MS NOW, and CNBC’s implementation of a paywall will be closely watched as a potential model for other digital news organizations.
What do you think about these changes in the media landscape? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
