Comcast’s NBCUniversal unit said it is planning to shut down its cable sports network, NBCSN, by the end of 2021.
The move is further evidence that media companies are shifting from their profitable but declining cable networks to the hot streaming category.
The NHL Stanley Cup Playoff games and NASCAR races will be simulcast this year on USA Network as part of a “transition.”
At the end of the year, key elements of NBCSN’s programming will move to USA and, in some cases, Peacock, NBCU’s streaming service.
The move of sports to USA will make the USA Network an extraordinarily powerful platform in the media marketplace, and gives our sports programming a significant audience boost.
To some degree, that means that rather than trying to compete against ESPN and Fox Sports One with NBCSN, NBC has decided to copy what AT&T’s TNT has, with a combination of entertainment programming and sports.
NBCU remains committed to live sports programming. The Golf Channel moved to Stamford and NBC Sports is producing multiple programs for Peacock. It is also doing more with Telemundo and Sky Sports.
This transition, combined with the robust portfolio of assets, including Golf Channel, The Olympic Channel, RSNs, SportsEngine, GolfNow, digital, audio, sports betting and gaming, puts us in an even stronger position as leaders in the sports media space and to continue to grow our business,” he said.