❓WHAT HAPPENED: MSNBC will be rebranded as My Source News Opinion World (MS NOW), dropping the NBC from its name as part of a broader separation from NBCUniversal and its reputation as a far-left news network.
👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Versant CEO Mark Lazarus, MSNBC president Rebecca Kutler, and NBCUniversal leadership.
📍WHEN & WHERE: The rebranding will take place in the coming months after Versant’s separation from NBCUniversal is finalized.
💬KEY QUOTE: “The peacock is synonymous with NBCUniversal, and it is a symbol they have decided to keep within the NBCU family.” – Mark Lazarus
🎯IMPACT: The major rebranding effort, including a new logo and marketing campaign, is aimed at attempting to redefine MSNBC’s identity as it transitions to MS NOW.
MSNBC will soon become My Source News Opinion World (MS NOW), signaling a significant rebranding effort as the network separates from NBCUniversal and becomes part of the new cable entity Versant. The name change reflects the leftist network’s attempt to distance itself from its toxic reputation as “MSDNC,” in reference to its partisan reporting effectively on behalf of the Democratic National Committee (DNC) and Democrats more broadly.
Earlier this year, while still under the NBCUniversal umbrella, MSNBC jettisoned long-time liberal hosts Joy Reid and Ayman Mohyeldin. The network’s viewership has cratered since the 2024 presidential election, with its liberal viewers abandoning it over its lack of reality-based reporting. Notably, Morning Joe anchor Joe Scarborough claimed ahead of the 2024 election that “This version of [former President Joe] Biden, intellectually, analytically, is the best Biden ever, not a close second, and I’ve known him for years,” only to turn against the elderly Democrat after an incoherent debate performance against Donald J. Trump.
Versant CEO Mark Lazarus announced the change on Monday, emphasizing that the rebranding aligns with the network’s mission. Lazarus stated, “The peacock is synonymous with NBCUniversal, and it is a symbol they have decided to keep within the NBCU family.”
The transition, which will occur in the coming months, includes a new logo for MS NOW. While the peacock logo will be retired, the network will retain its recognizable red and blue color scheme. This decision follows earlier reports suggesting MSNBC would keep its name post-spin-off, which have now been corrected.
Other changes within MSNBC include leadership shifts, such as the departure of former president Rashida Jones and the appointment of Rebecca Kutler. Programming adjustments and staff relocations have also been part of the network’s evolution. Kutler informed employees of plans for a “broad-based marketing campaign” to promote the rebranding.
The rebranding is not limited to MSNBC. Versant’s other networks featuring the peacock logo, such as CNBC and Golf Channel, will also unveil new logos. CNBC will retain its name, while sports programming from USA Network and Golf Channel will merge under the banner of USA Sports.
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