Comcast is tearing its media family apart, and MSNBC is getting a name makeover to boot. Meet “MS NOW,” the brainchild trying to distance itself from its messy corporate parents.
What happened
In a move that rivals the cringe of “HBO Max,” MSNBC has decided it’s time for a rebrand as Comcast spins off its cable channels into a new company called “Versant.” President Rebecca Kutler announced that they’ll be shedding the “NBC” to assert some independence. According to a memo shared with Deadline, MS NOW stands for “My Source News Opinion World.” Sounds like a clunky app you’d delete after one use.
Why the change
The original MSNBC name came from a Microsoft and NBC partnership that has long since fizzled. Now, neither Microsoft nor NBC is involved, and the network aims to shed any last traces of its past corporate entanglements. As Kutler put it, “Our commitment to our work and our audiences will not waiver from what the brand promise has been for three decades.”
What’s next for the peacock
MSNBC isn’t the only one flying the coop. CNBC will also make the move to Versant but gets to keep its name. However, anything that used the iconic rainbow peacock will need a facelift to match the new era. The New York Times reports it’s the dawning of a new branding day.
Looks like NBC’s colorful bird is about to become a rare sight, much like Steve Kornacki, who’s reportedly leaving too (thanks, AV Club). Tune in to see if this rebranding adventure ends with fireworks or fizzles.
