CNN’s First of All Celebrates 100 Episodes & Media Industry Updates – February 2026

CNN’s Saturday morning program, First of All with Victor Blackwell, marked its 100th episode this past weekend, a milestone for a display dedicated to covering national headlines impacting communities of color. The program, which similarly exists as a podcast, celebrated with a team cake, according to Adweek. Simultaneously, CNBC underwent a reorganization this week, resulting in less than a dozen personnel changes as the network prepares for a potential paywall, signaling shifts in the landscape of business news.

A Focused Voice in a Broadening Media Landscape

Launched in 2024, First of All distinguishes itself by centering stories often marginalized in mainstream media. Recent topics have included anti-ICE protests, the fallout from a racist video shared by Donald Trump on his social media platform depicting Barack and Michelle Obama as apes, environmental justice concerns in Alabama, and the diminishing presence of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives. Victor Blackwell, the show’s host, emphasized the ongoing necessity of a platform dedicated to these communities, stating, “Every week, the news cycle reaffirms why an hour that focuses on communities of color is necessary.” He added that the show excels at “find[ing] 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.”

The program’s executive producer, Sidney Wright IV, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the importance of amplifying voices often excluded from broader discussions. “When so much of the conversation focuses on the loudest voices, this show speaks to those communities that aren’t being heard,” Wright said. “I believe that’s our biggest strength. Communities of color are impacted just as much as everyone else. We try to find voices in those communities and give them a chance to weigh in on the conversation.”

CNBC’s Restructuring and the Paywall Question

While CNN expands its commitment to focused coverage, CNBC is navigating a different set of challenges and opportunities. The network this week implemented a reorganization of its digital and television news operations, leading to a small number of layoffs. A CNBC spokesperson told TVNewser that the changes are “to align CNBC’s newsroom structure for the future” and are “not driven by cost-cutting.” The network anticipates hiring over 40 new editorial roles in the coming year across TV, digital, and direct-to-consumer platforms.

This restructuring is closely tied to plans for a paywall on CNBC’s website, a move spearheaded by editor-in-chief David Cho. Reuters reported that the overhaul is intended to support the introduction of a subscription model, a strategy increasingly common among news organizations seeking to diversify revenue streams. The move reflects a broader trend in financial news, where digital subscriptions are becoming a critical component of financial sustainability.

Personnel Shifts at CNBC and NBC News

Alongside the restructuring, CNBC announced the addition of Matt Peterson as a senior economics writer, starting March 2. Peterson joins from Barron’s, where he served as the politics, policy, and ideas editor. He will focus on providing in-depth analysis of economic policy. NBC News also revealed that Emily Ngo will be joining as a newsletter writer/editor, focusing on the network’s daily newsletter, The Inside Scoop. Ngo previously worked at Politico as a political reporter and co-author of New York Playbook. Ngo announced her new role on Twitter, highlighting the opportunity to engage directly with readers.

MSNBC’s Audience Growth and Election Coverage Plans

Within the broader NBCUniversal portfolio, MSNBC is also experiencing shifts. Rebecca Kutler, president of MSNBC, recently marked her one-year anniversary with an interview in the Los Angeles Times. Kutler reported that the network’s daily audience has grown to 613,000, a 25% increase compared to the same period last year, according to Nielsen data. Primetime viewership has also seen a significant boost, rising 27% to 1.2 million viewers. The network’s 7 p.m. Program, The Weeknight, experienced a 30% audience increase in January 2026 compared to January 2025.

Looking ahead, MSNBC has announced plans for special primetime coverage of the March 3 primary elections in Arkansas, North Carolina, and Texas. The coverage will be led by Rachel Maddow and will feature contributions from Nicolle Wallace, Ari Melber, Chris Hayes, Lawrence O’Donnell, Stephanie Ruhle, Jen Psaki, Symone Sanders Townsend, Michael Steele, and Alicia Menendez. MSNBC’s Public Relations team announced the coverage plans on Bluesky.

The Evolving News Landscape: A Dual Track

These developments – CNN’s focused expansion, CNBC’s restructuring and paywall strategy, and MSNBC’s audience growth – illustrate a complex and evolving media landscape. The emphasis on niche audiences, as exemplified by First of All, contrasts with the broader efforts to monetize digital content through subscriptions, as seen at CNBC. Both strategies reflect a recognition of the changing ways consumers access and pay for news. The success of these approaches will likely depend on their ability to deliver unique value and build strong relationships with their respective audiences. The coming months will be crucial in determining how these strategies play out, particularly as CNBC navigates the implementation of its paywall and assesses the impact of its organizational changes.

What’s next: The immediate focus for CNBC will be the rollout of its paywall, a process that will require careful monitoring of subscriber acquisition and retention rates. For CNN, the challenge will be to sustain the momentum of First of All and continue to expand its reach within communities of color. MSNBC will be closely watching the results of its election coverage and assessing the impact of its programming changes on audience engagement.