Pink's Bottom Line on Media, Money and Sports

Cable news viewership, actively managed US stock funds and the NBA Rookie of the Year favorite

In today’s newsletter, I discuss cable news viewership, actively managed US stock funds and the NBA Rookie of the Year favorite.

MEDIA: Cable News Viewership

Viewership of the three major cable news networks declined sharply this year compared to 2020.

According to Nielsen data as reported by the Associated Press, primetime weekday viewership declined 38% for CNN, fell 34% for Fox News and slumped 25% for MSNBC.

Pink's Bottom Line

That decline in viewership this year is hardly surprising considering that the presidential election and the onset of the pandemic happened in 2020.

As such, look for viewership of the cable news networks to rebound somewhat next year as midterm elections will generate a lot of viewer interest.

MONEY: Actively Managed US Stock Funds

Most actively managed US stock funds have underperformed the benchmark S&P 500 index this year.

According to Morningstar Direct data as reported by The Wall Street Journal, 85% of actively managed US stock funds underperformed the S&P 500 through the end of November.

Pink's Bottom Line

In the past decade, passively managed US equity funds — funds that track a specific stock market index like the S&P 500, for example — have become increasingly popular with investors.

Many passive funds often outperform actively managed ones, and these passively managed funds often have lower expenses than their actively managed counterparts.

As a result, look for the trend of equity investors putting their money in to passively managed funds in favor of actively managed ones to continue next year and beyond.

SPORTS: NBA Rookie of the Year Favorite

Evan Mobley, chosen as third overall pick in this year’s NBA Draft by the Cleveland Cavaliers, is the strong favorite to win this year’s NBA Rookie of the Year award.

According to FanDuel Sportsbook, Mobley is +105 to win that award, followed by Scottie Barnes of the Toronto Raptors at +270 and Cade Cunningham of the Detroit Pistons at +380.

Pink's Bottom Line

Mobley is averaging 14.1 points and 8.3 rebounds per game so far this season plus he is part of a group of young, talented players for the Cavaliers who have propelled the team to fifth place in the Eastern Conference right now.

Mobley — and the Cavaliers as a team — will only improve as the season progresses, and this year Cleveland just might win its first playoff series since LeBron James left the Cavs for the second time following the 2017-2018 season.

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Jeremy Pink is currently an advisor to media and fintech companies around the world. He is the former CEO of private-equity backed Broadcast Sports International where he helped lead the company to a successful sale and exit during his tenure there. He is also a former CNBC television executive in New York, London and Singapore.

The information contained in this communication is strictly for general informational and entertainment purposes and is not meant to be construed as financial, investment, tax, or legal advice. This communication is not a solicitation to buy or sell any securities. I am not a financial advisor or offering professional advice of any kind. Users should not act upon the content or information found within this communication without first seeking professional advice appropriate for their individual situation. Decisions based on information contained in this communication are the sole responsibility of the user, and use of this communication and its contents constitutes an explicit understanding and acceptance of the foregoing disclaimers.

(Newsletter Editor: Karina Pink)