MSNBC Changing its Name to MS NOW – Rachel Maddow & More React
MSNBC announced on Monday (August 18) that the network will be rebranded as My Source News Opinion World, or MS NOW, later this year as part of its separation from Comcast. The network will also be getting rid of its famous Peacock logo.
The change comes as MSNBC and other Comcast cable networks are set to spin off into a separate company, Versant, led by Mark Lazarus. In addition to MSNBC, CNBC, Golf Channel, GolfNow, and SportsEngine will also be joining Versant and all will be losing the iconic Peacock logo.
“The peacock is synonymous with NBCUniversal, and it is a symbol they have decided to keep within the NBCU family,” Versant CEO Mark Lazarus wrote in a company-wide memo Monday morning, per Axios.com.
He added, “This gives us the opportunity to chart our own path forward, create distinct brand identities, and establish an independent news organization following the spin.”
Versant
Back in January, Lazarus allegedly told staffers that MSNBC wouldn’t be losing its name amid the separation from NBCUniversal. In a meeting to announce the departure of Rashida Jones as the network’s president, Lazarus told staff, “I know there was some discussion with the MSNBC name, so you can take that off of your worry list on things,” per Deadline.
Explaining the latest decision, MSNBC President Rebecca Kutler told employees in Monday’s memo, “During this time of transition, NBCUniversal 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 operation.”
She continued, “The future of our success is not tied to remaining within the NBC family and using the peacock as part of our identity. While our name will be changing, who we are and what we do will not. Our commitment to our work and our audiences will not waiver from what the brand promise has been for three decades.”
Kutler also noted that the rebrand of MSNBC will come with a “broad-based marketing campaign, unlike anything we have done in recent memory.”
Veteran MSNBC host Rachel Maddow supports the name change, saying, per Axios, “If there was ever a time for us to change our name, this is it — because we’re not just separating from NBC News in corporate terms, we’re competing with them now.”
Social media users have been reacting to the name change since the news broke on Monday morning.
“Rebranding MSNBC isn’t going to help unless you change the line up of shows and those on staff,” said one X user.
Another added, “Rebranding won’t help them get their viewers back.”
“Just like I call this [app] Twitter, I’m still saying MSNBC,” another said.
“MSNBC renaming itself My Source News Opinion World feels like that Parks and Rec episode where Pawnee let the public vote on a new name… and the trolls won,” quipped one commenter.
Another wrote, “MSNBC to MS NOW? Changing brand names could be risky but it could bring a breath of fresh air.”
“MSNBC renamining itself “Opinion World” is probably the most honest thing they’ve done this decade,” said one X poster.
Former MSNBC host Keith Olbermann also commented, writing, “MSNBC to change name to MS NOW no I’m not kidding… They can change it to LES MS for all it matters they still screwed up what I built for them 🤦🏼♂️.”
They can change it to LES MS for all it matters they still screwed up what I built for them 🤦🏼♂️
— Keith Olbermann (@KeithOlbermann) August 18, 2025
What do you think of the name change? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Conversation22 Comments
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Comments are closed on this story.
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O
I could care less as long as they keep bringing us the quality programming we are used to
22 5
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R
They can call it what they want, it will still be MSNBC……….just like The Gulf of Mexico will ALWAYS be “The Gulf of Mexico”………
15 1
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A
I see you're not a Trump supporter (or at least one who approves of everything he does...)
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G
What they plan to call it doesn't matter one-tenth as much as: Will all their viewers' TV providers, despite the network change, continue to still carry it exactly as they do now? No dropped/expired contracts, no absconding from linear to streaming only, no new paywalls, etc.
12
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G
Excellent points!
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B
No problem…..Sports stadiums change their name all the time as the ownership changes..No big deal
9
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P
This is a dumb name, however. (Well most stadium renames are dumb too.)
1 1
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O
I will still watch
7 1
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C
Bring back Alex Wagner.
6 1
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O
Yes! Yes! Love alex
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O
Weird, but so ok. What I do care about is keeping your stellar reporters for their truth-telling. And, I miss Katy Phang & her legal expertise, you should bring her back. I think Ms Kutler is making many mistakes.
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R
Let's hope that after the change, people will still be streaming NBC shows they want to see on their time, not the network's time.
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O
Ms. Now? Multiple Sclerosis Now? Microsoft Now? Huh?
4 3
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P
microsoft divested long ago, thats how msnbc lost the web portal. what is their web portal going to be unless its ms.now because that one has nothing on it yet but msnow.com looks like a chinese snowmobile company
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P
Gives new meaning to the "Stop MS NOW" campaign.
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P
You can put lipstick on a pig and it is still a pig. MSNBC sucks and rebranding isn't going to make it any better.
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B
Agreed, you can change the name like you can change the clothing on a person, but if everything remains the same, nothing‘s going to change as long as the inside stays the same nothing changes.
Try new ideas.
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R
A rose by any other name is still a rose...so is garbage; no matter what you change the name to.
4 7
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P
Anyone else remember MS Magazine? Stupid idea
1 5
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A
All I knew is that Gloria Steinem was one of the founders.
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G
Changing the name doesn't matter. We all know it has always been Mainly Stupid Now (MSN). Thats why we do not watch it.
1 7
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G
Speak for yourself.
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