Fast Money's Macke no longer at CNBC

Jeff Macke, contributor to CNBC's Fast Money, is no longer with the network, according to Mediabistro's TVNewser.
After a controversial appearance from Macke May 19, many speculated he would be removed from his normal role on Fast Money, but Macke had several more appearances on the show before his time at Fast Money ended.
CNBC Spokesman Brian Steel announced Macke's departure today from the network, saying:

"Jeff is no longer with CNBC. We wish him all the best, and we thank him for his quality contributions."

To view the story, click here.

What do you think of Macke's departure from CNBC's Fast Money? Comment

Business news has new significance

The Minneapolis Star-Tribune reports that since the sink of the economy, viewership for business and financial news has risen, leading to the popularity of finance news and the journalists who cover it.

The story notes that national networks like CNBC, CNNMoney.com and Fox Business Network have all seen an increase in viewers since the Lehman Brothers filed for bankrupcy Sept 15, 2008.

And primarily female reporters covering the financial meltdown have gained esteem on the beat.

From the story:

"Sandra Smith, a reporter for Fox Business Network, has a less piggish take on why women reporters have stood out in the last couple of years.
'I think females can do a very good job of showing the softer side when covering these kinds of stories,' said Smith, who hails from Chicago. 'I can't tell you the number of victims I've talked to who have lost so much of their net worth. You can't just treat them like their only purpose is to fulfill a story.'"

Rovell on the economics of sports

Today Mediabistro has a podcast with Darren Rovell, the sports business reporter for CNBC.
Rovell talks about how the economic crisis is affecting attendance, steroids and why business executives don't want to sit behind home plate at the new Yankee stadium.
To check out the podcast click here.

CNBC's Becky Quick on co-anchoring a live morning program

(201).net, a local Web site that caters to Bergen County, NJ, has an article about CNBC anchor Becky Quick. Quick co-anchors "Squawk Box" from 6 to 9 a.m. ET. This means she is at work around 4 a.m., catching up on all of the overnight news developments and, of course, filling up on caffeine. But Quick doesn't seem to mind the lifestyle:

The great thing about being on so early is that you get all the news as it hits the wires. My co-anchors, Joe Kernen and Carl Quintanilla, and I love that more than anything because we love getting the news live, while we're on the air, and trying to interpret exactly what it means, how to ask the best questions, so we can set the business agenda for the day. We need to tell people what they should be thinking about before the market even opens.

Quick said she has watched her 401(k) plummet in the last year and admitted that she did not even open her last statement. But Quick said it's still important to know what is happening with the markets and the economy. "Business news is more vital than ever," she said.

For more click here.

Former CNBC anchor to join MSNBC

NBC Universal announced that former CNBC anchor Dylan Ratigan, who abruptly left the financial network in March, is moving to MSNBC. This means Ratigan will stay in the NBC family. He will anchor a two-hour morning show, from 9 to 11 a.m. ET, immediately following "Morning Joe." He is scheduled to start on June 29.

"While I look forward to broadening my scope in covering the multitude of issues facing our country today, what draws me to MSNBC is that they have offered me a 2-hour forum to discuss any and all political issues with no directive other than to provide compelling content," Ratigan said.

NBC also announced that Ratigan will become "a regular contributor to NBC News programs."

For more click here.

FBN host's early career goals had nothing to do with business journalism

In a TribLIVE interview, FOX Business Network host Eric Bolling discusses his life before joining FBN. It turns out business news was not Bolling's first career choice. Before becoming the host of FBN's "Happy Hour," Bolling was on track to become a professional baseball player. But an early-career injury ended his baseball dreams. From there, Bolling took a job at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange and later a position as a trader at the New York Mercantile Exchange. His popularity and reputation grew thanks to regular appearances on CNBC, which ultimately led him to FBN.

In the interview, Bolling also shares his views on the Big Three, getting through the crisis and baseball.

For more click here.

MoneyShow.com hires two industry veterans

According to a "Business Wire" press release, former CNBC anchor Karen Gibbs and former SmartMoney.com markets editor and columnist Igor Greenwald have joined MoneyShow.com. Gibbs will be the host of the MoneyShow.com Video Network and Greenwald will become Global Investing Editor.

MoneyShow.com is a an investment-education online resource for both traders and investors. The Web site gives visitors "access to advice and opinions from leading investment advisers and professional traders, as well as hundreds of hours of education targeting investors, traders, and financial advisors."

For more click here.

David Pogue now a CNBC contributor

David Pogue, a personal technology columnist for The New York Times, is joining CNBC as a contributor. Starting today, he will offer up tech talk and gadget reviews on CNBC's Business Day programming. Pogue is also an Emmy award-winning tech correspondent for CBS News and a prolific "how-to" writer with titles in the "For Dummies" series.

Read the full release here.

Yahoo! Finance gets CNBC video

Yet another sign that business journalism and multimedia delivery is more important than ever, and it's as simple as supply and demand.
When the economy falters, the consumer feels he or she doesn't have enough information and wants more insight. All eyes turn toward the markets, and Yahoo! is striving to get ahead and fulfill the demand by strengthening its finance channel with a new distribution agreement with CNBC. As part of the content-sharing plan announced today, CNBC, including its global networks, will provide video clips and articles for use on Yahoo! Finance. According to the release, the agreement represents "CNBC's first global online alliance and Yahoo!'s first global finance video agreement." Video topics will include commentary, market buzz, analysis, interviews and investing segments.
For the full release, click here.