Cable news channel MSNBC will undergo a major rebranding later this year, changing its name to My Source News Opinion World (MS NOW) as part of a corporate separation from NBC, The Associated Press reported on Monday. The network, known for its liberal-leaning programming and influential personalities including Rachel Maddow, Ari Melber and Nicole Wallace, is building an independent news division separate from NBC News and will remove NBC’s iconic peacock logo from its brand, the report said.
Why the Change?
The decision follows NBC Universal’s November 2024 spin-off of several cable networks including USA, CNBC, MSNBC, E!, Oxygen and the Golf Channel into a new entity called Versant. However, only MSNBC is reported to be changing its name. The cable news channel was originally formed in 1996 as a joint venture between Microsoft and NBC, which is how it derived its name.
Addressing staff in a memo, MSNBC president Rebecca Kutler reportedly said, “This was not a decision that was made quickly or without significant debate. During this time of transition, NBC Universal decided that our brand requires a new, separate identity.“
“This decision now allows us to set our own course and assert our independence as we continue to build our own modern newsgathering organisation,” Kutler said, per AP.
Interestingly, CNBC, which has also been spun off, will keep ‘NBC‘ in its name, the report said. According to MSNBC, CNBC‘s business focus keeps it distinct enough not to need a name change.
Tensions Between MSNBC and NBC News
President Donald Trump has frequently derided MSNBC — known for its progressive slant — as ‘MSDNC‘, mocking its liberal bias.
Rachel Maddow, one of MSNBC‘s leading voices, expressed optimism about the change on her podcast Pivot. “In this case, we can apply our own instincts, our own queries, our own priorities, to getting stuff that we need from reporters and correspondents. And so it‘s gonna be better.“
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