URGENT UPDATE: MSNBC will soon be known as MS NOW, following an unexpected rebranding decision by NBCUniversal. The news broke just moments ago, as NBC strips the network of its iconic peacock logo, marking a dramatic shift for the channel.
Mark Lazarus, who is set to lead the new entity comprising MSNBC and other cable assets, announced the name change in a meeting with staff today. “MS NOW” stands for “My Source New Opinion World,” and will feature a new logo—a blue background with a red-and-white striped flag, moving away from the NBC trademark.
This decision comes as a surprise, especially after Lazarus assured employees just earlier this year that MSNBC would retain its name. During a staff meeting in January, he stated, “I know there was some discussion with the MSNBC, so you can take that off of your worry list on things.” However, the landscape has changed dramatically, and MSNBC will now navigate a new identity.
In a memo to staff, MSNBC President Rebbeca Kutler expressed that the rebrand allows the network to “set our own course and assert our independence.” She emphasized the importance of this transition, stating, “The future of our success is not tied to keeping ‘NBC’ as part of our identity.”
As part of the transformation, a significant marketing campaign is on the horizon—“unlike anything we have done in recent memory,” Kutler highlighted. The rebranding is part of a larger strategy following Comcast’s announcement in November of a $7 billion spinoff of its cable assets, aimed for completion by the end of 2025.
Other networks, such as CNBC, will retain their names but will also undergo logo changes. The Golf Channel and SportsEngine are among other cable assets that will be rebranded.
In recent months, MSNBC has been establishing its own newsroom operations, hiring dozens of journalists from high-profile organizations like CNN, Bloomberg, and The Washington Post, to bolster its independent reporting capabilities. For the time being, the channel will still be referred to as MSNBC until the rebranding process is finalized.
Despite its efforts, MSNBC has struggled to outpace Fox News, remaining the No. 2 cable news network for several years. This rebranding marks a pivotal moment for the network as it seeks to redefine itself in a competitive landscape.
As developments unfold, viewers and staff alike are eager to see how this new identity affects programming and audience engagement. The urgency of this transition reflects broader changes within the media landscape, and all eyes will be on MS NOW as it embarks on this new chapter.
Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops, and share your thoughts on the rebrand using #MSNOW.
