CNET’s Pivot Away From Physical CES: Isolated Move or Bigger Trend?

With the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warning Monday of the “potential for a rapid increase” in U.S. COVID-19 infections from the new omicron variant, CNET’s withdrawal from CES 2022 as an in-person participant bears watching for whether it's an isolated event or the start of a larger trend. See our news bulletin here. The rising volume of COVID-19 and omicron cases sparked CNET’s parent company, Red Ventures, to “pause travel for all U.S.-based employees through mid-January,” emailed a spokesperson. Red Ventures completed its $500 million CNET buy from ViacomCBS in October 2020 (see 2010300029). CNET “will now shift our CES focus to remote coverage,” said the spokesperson. “CNET will continue to report on new consumer and tech products and developments, talk to industry leaders, engage with global brands, and highlight emerging trends from a remote setting.” CTA didn’t respond to requests for comment Tuesday. To some CES 2022 exhibitors, the emergence and rapid spread of the omicron variant appeared to cast a pall over the impending show as November turned into December. “I do wonder if we will see some big changes in the show’s plans this week,” emailed one exhibitor Monday. “Anecdotally, the groundswell of interest in an in-person show that we felt ahead of Thanksgiving seems to be rapidly receding." CTA at least is "well positioned to pivot to a virtual-only show if they must,” said the exhibitor. CTA shows little public appetite for retreating to a digital-only CES 2022, despite CDC’s warning about omicron, now responsible for about 75% of new U.S. COVID-19 cases."Excitement Builds for CES 2022," headlined CTA's announcement Friday of new health and safety protocols for the show.