CNBC reported last week that ABC parent company Disney is looking to exit its joint-venture with Univision over their ownership of Fusion. The two-year old network was expected to be ABC News’s answer to a 24-hour cable channel, while giving Univision access to the English-language market.
TVNewser has now obtained a memo that Fusion CEO Isaac Lee sent to his staff the day after the CNBC report came out:
Hola FUSION —
AdvertisementAs some of you may have seen there is some reporting out that centers around FUSION’s ownership structure. As you can see Univision and Disney did not comment on the story.
I know it can be frustrating to read stories that are based on rumors and speculation. Unfortunately we are in an industry where rumor and speculation is the norm, and we should not allow these rumors to impact the great work we are doing in our day-to-day.
We continue to believe strongly in FUSION as an asset and in your ability to create formidable content that serves our young, diverse audience on TV, digital, and social. I am incredibly proud to see the growth we are seeing across all platforms — from FUSION’s launch on Snapchat Discover in the U.S. to the diverse audience that is coming to us on television to our digital team quadrupling the traffic of FUSION.net.
I am thrilled that we will be kicking off the new year with the “Iowa Brown and Black Forum” on January 11. It will be the perfect embodiment of FUSION’s mission — a young, diverse panel questioning the Democratic candidates about the issues that matter most to America’s growing multicultural population.
Please keep up all the great work. I hope you all have a happy and healthy holiday!!
Abrazos,
Isaac