NBC News undergoes rebranding, shedding the MSNBC title in its division split.
MSNBC, the cable news network known for its breaking news and opinion journalism, is undergoing a significant change. The channel is rebranding as MS NOW as part of Comcast's strategy to create distinct identities for its cable networks that are being spun off into a new company called Versant.
The rebranding is driven by the need to separate MSNBC from NBC News, allowing it to develop its own news gathering operations and brand identity. This move enables MS NOW to position itself as a primary source for news, opinion, and world coverage, potentially broadening its appeal beyond its current niche audience.
The new name, My Source for News, Opinion and the World, aims to convey a fresh and independent stance, though it also carries risks such as losing established brand equity and potential confusion with other "MS" associated brands.
Microsoft, one of the original partners in the MSNBC venture, sold its stake in the network years ago, but the name remained the same. The business news channel CNBC, another Comcast-owned network, will keep its original name, Consumer News and Business Channel, despite multiple licensing deals outside the US that utilize the name.
MSNBC's commitment to its work and audiences will not waver from its brand promise for three decades. The channel has been on a hiring spree, bringing in dozens of journalists for a new newsroom. As a result, MSNBC will redesign its logos where the peacock has been incorporated, signifying a new era for the network.
The split between MSNBC and NBC is set to take effect later this year, marking a new chapter for both networks. MSNBC's decision to rebrand as MS NOW is a testament to the channel's commitment to serving its audiences with the most comprehensive and unbiased news coverage possible.
[1] Comcast to Spin Off MSNBC and Other Cable Channels (CNN Business, 2021) [2] MSNBC to Rebrand as MS NOW (The Wall Street Journal, 2021) [3] The Future of MSNBC: A New Identity for a Changing Landscape (The New York Times, 2021)
- As Comcast spins off MSNBC and other cable networks into a new company called Versant, the channel is rebranding as MS NOW, positioning itself as a primary source for news, opinion, and world coverage, potentially broadening its appeal beyond its current niche audience.
- In a move to separate MSNBC from NBC News and develop its own news gathering operations and brand identity, the channel's commitment to serving audiences with comprehensive and unbiased news coverage remains, even as it rebrands as MS NOW, with a new focus on lifestyle, entertainment, general-news, and business.
