OLD Media Moves

CNBC’s Wapner on how biz news on TV creates “masters of the universe”

May 18, 2018

Posted by Chris Roush

Scott Wapner
Scott Wapner

Jeffrey Sherman, DoubleLine’s deputy chief information officer, and Sam Lau, DoubleLine Asset Allocation, talked with Scott Wapner, the host of CNBC’s “Fast Money Halftime Report,” about his career.

“I never in a million years thought I would be a business journalist,” said Wapner. “I thought I was going to be the next great sports reporter like Howard Cosell or Bob Costas.”

After graduating from the University of South Florida, Wapner discovered that one of his neighbors worked for a business news organization. When the neighbor found out he was looking, he offered Wapner a job.

Before joining CNBC, Wapner served as a business reporter for KDFW-TV in Dallas and was a reporter for Associated Press Television News, based in New York City.

He recognized that business news on television plays a role in making Wall Street investors such as Bill Ackman and Carl Icahn famous.

“Outlets like CNBC, we’ve certainly helped these people develop masters of the universe personas,” said Wapner. “We’ve helped make them into celebrities in their own right. They’re certainly willing to come on to TV to talk.”

To listen, go here.

Subscribe to TBN

Receive updates about new stories in the industry daily or weekly.

Subscribe to TBN

Receive updates about new stories in the industry.