Versant Media Spin-Off & Impact on Newsrooms

By: Paul Goldberg, Senior Editor | JRL CHARTS – LGBT Politics

LAS VEGAS — (October 16, 2025) — NBC News has officially disbanded its LGBTQ+ news vertical NBC Out, ending a decade-long chapter of dedicated queer journalism as part of a sweeping corporate restructuring that also impacts NBC BLK, NBC Latino, and NBC Asian America.

Related Coverage Links on JRL CHARTS:

• Get the Latest in LGBT Politics USA Exclusively on JRL CHARTS

• Breaking Military News involving LGBTQ Service Members and Security

• LGBT Politics Europe – Updates on Hate Crimes, Judicial Rulings

• Stay Up to Date on the Happenings in LGBT Politics Asia

During an internal staff meeting, executive vice president of editorial Catherine Kim informed employees that approximately 150 positions were being eliminated across the network. Two sources confirmed to JRL CHARTS LGBT Politics that the specialized diversity teams — once celebrated as industry-leading voices for under-represented communities — are being dissolved into the broader newsroom operation.

NBC News stated to JRL CHARTS that it will “continue publishing stories relevant to LGBTQ+, Black, Latino and Asian American audiences through its main editorial teams.” Insiders note, however, that only a handful of writers are expected to remain to cover these communities, while many experienced journalists are being reassigned or let go.

The move coincides with MSNBC’s planned spinoff under a new entity, Versant, which is expected to rebrand as MS Now in the coming weeks. A source told The Wrap that the layoffs stem from budget pressures and a desire to streamline editorial operations rather than target specific demographics.

Yet the timing aligns with a broader national pullback on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, driven by political pushback from the current administration and conservative state governments seeking to dismantle civil-rights programs in both public and private sectors.

Media watchdogs warn that the closure of NBC Out marks a regressive moment for representation and visibility in mainstream news. What was once a model for inclusive reporting is now a symbol of the industry’s retreat from equity in storytelling.

“We are witnessing a rollback of decades of progress that we thought we would never see,” one former NBC Out contributor told JRL CHARTS. “Queer voices aren’t being amplified anymore—they’re being folded back into silence.”

As press freedom faces mounting political and economic pressure, the erosion of identity-focused journalism could further isolate the communities that depend on these platforms for representation and visibility.

JRL CHARTS LGBT Politics will continue tracking the status of NBC Out staff and the broader impact of these layoffs across the American media landscape.

Stay connected with JRL CHARTS LGBT Politics for breaking updates on media accountability, queer representation, and the fight to preserve diversity in American newsrooms.

Media Partners: For licensing inquiries, media usage rights, or republication requests, please visit our Contact Us page. All content © JRL CHARTS Media Network. Unauthorized use is strictly prohibited.