The management at MSNBC wants to introduce more diversity in its lineup. Long known for having a strong left lean, the station has attempted to introduce more centrist and conservative voices. But there is one problem: ever since Donald Trump came to power, audiences have been increasing in all the left-leaning shows. Thus MSNBC has been reporting very healthy growth recently, with most of it coming from shows like Rachel Maddow, Chris Hayes and Lawrence O'Donnell.
In other words, the diversity project is now in conflict with maximizing profits.
I do hope that MSNBC continues to pursue the diversity thing because that's important. I mean, I like listening to left-wing talk. But I equally want non-left talk, because all new ideas deserve to be considered. If we live in an echo chamber, we end up getting a distorted view of the wider world, and also end up making maladaptive choices.
p.s. As for losing out some profit in the short term, well, in the long run diversity will improve a station's image and widen the viewer base, so it won't be a bad thing either.
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