MSNBC Changes Name to MS NOW – Rachel Maddow Reacts
- MSNBC is undergoing a notable transformation, rebranding as My Source News Opinion World - or MS NOW - later this year.
- Perhaps the most visible change will be the retirement of MSNBC's long-standing Peacock logo.
- Just months ago,in January,Mark Lazarus reportedly assured staff that the MSNBC name would remain unchanged during the separation from NBCUniversal,as Deadline reported. This initial reassurance appears to have...
MSNBC Rebrands as MS NOW: A New Era for teh Network
Table of Contents
Published August 18, 2025
A Bold Shift in Identity
MSNBC is undergoing a notable transformation, rebranding as My Source News Opinion World – or MS NOW – later this year. This change coincides with its separation from Comcast and the formation of a new entity, Versant, which will also include CNBC, Golf Channel, GolfNow, and SportsEngine.The move signals a clear intention to establish a distinct identity and operate as an independent news organization, according to a company memo reported by Axios.
The End of an Icon: Saying Goodbye to the Peacock
Perhaps the most visible change will be the retirement of MSNBC’s long-standing Peacock logo. Versant CEO Mark Lazarus explained in a company-wide memo that the peacock is deeply associated with NBCUniversal and will remain within that family. “This gives us the chance to chart our own path forward, create distinct brand identities, and establish an independent news organization following the spin,” Lazarus stated. this decision, while symbolic, underscores the network’s desire to forge its own path.
A Change of Plans? From Stability to Rebranding
The decision to rebrand represents a shift in strategy. Just months ago,in January,Mark Lazarus reportedly assured staff that the MSNBC name would remain unchanged during the separation from NBCUniversal,as Deadline reported. This initial reassurance appears to have been superseded by a broader assessment of the network’s future needs.
Internal Support and External Reactions
MSNBC President rebecca Kutler communicated to employees that the rebrand is a necessary step to assert the network’s independence and build a modern newsgathering operation. “The future of our success is not tied to remaining within the NBC family and using the peacock as part of our identity,” Kutler emphasized. Notably, veteran host Rachel Maddow publicly supports the change, stating, 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.”
However, the announcement has been met with mixed reactions online. Some users questioned the necessity of the rebrand, suggesting that improvements to programming and staffing would be more impactful. Others expressed skepticism, with one user on X (formerly Twitter) quipping that the new name felt like a result of public trolling. Former MSNBC host Keith Olbermann voiced strong disapproval, stating the rebrand “doesn’t matter” and criticizing past network decisions.
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