Mainstream media outlet MSNBC rebrands as MS NOW -- critics slam network's desperate pivot
By ramontomeydw // 2025-08-20
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  • MSNBC rebrands as "My Source News Opinion World" (MS NOW) after severing ties with NBCUniversal, abandoning its peacock logo. The network's parent company, Versant, spins it off alongside other channels like E! and Golf Channel.
  • Critics question the rebrand's sincerity, noting CNBC retained its branding while MSNBC faced accusations of liberal bias. Internal mockery surfaced, with staffers comparing the new minimalist logo to a "Windows 95 desktop" design.
  • MSNBC's progressive slant earned it the "MSDNC" nickname from conservatives. Declining ratings and post-2024 election viewer losses prompted the overhaul, but skeptics argue it's a superficial fix for deep-seated ideological issues.
  • The network dropped hosts like Joy Reid and Ayman Mohyeldin, while longtime liberals like Joe Scarborough faced backlash for reversing support for Biden post-debate. Critics labeled the rebrand "one of the worst branding disasters in media history."
  • MSNBC leadership claims the rebrand reflects "evolution, not retreat," promising independent newsroom expansion. However, past failures like CNN+ suggest rebrands rarely solve credibility crises. Trust in the network’s revival remains low amid historic media distrust.
In a dramatic attempt to shed its partisan reputation, mainstream media rag MSNBC is rebranding as "My Source News Opinion World" (MS NOW), severing ties with NBCUniversal and abandoning its iconic peacock logo. Mark Lazarus, CEO of MS NOW's new owner Versant, announced the change on Monday, Aug. 18. MS NOW's former parent NBCUniversal spun off the channel – alongside others like E!, USA Network and Golf Channel – into the new company. "The peacock is synonymous with NBCUniversal, and it is a symbol they have decided to keep within the NBCU family," Lazarus stated, framing the name change as a deliberate step toward independence. Yet skeptics point out that sister network CNBC will retain its branding – raising questions about why MSNBC alone required such a drastic overhaul. Internal memes circulated among staffers reportedly mocked the decision, dubbing MS NOW's minimalist logo as "something off a Windows 95 desktop." "MSNBC was formed in 1996 through a merger between Microsoft and NBC News, launching both the MSNBC cable news network and MSNBC.com," explains Brighteon.AI's Enoch engine. "Microsoft exited the joint venture completely by 2012 – selling its remaining stake to NBCUniversal." But over time, the network slowly morphed into a progressive opinion powerhouse. This led some conservatives to label it "MSDNC," mocking its perceived allegiance to the Democratic Party. The rebrand marks the latest chapter in MSNBC's turbulent history. It comes after years of declining ratings and accusations of liberal bias, culminating in a post-2024 election viewer exodus. The network's critics argue the rebrand is little more than a superficial attempt to distance itself from its past while retaining the same divisive editorial slant.

Can a new name fix a broken legacy?

Former hosts like Joy Reid and Ayman Mohyeldin were recently dropped as part of programming shakeups. Meanwhile, longtime liberal voices like Joe Scarborough faced backlash after flip-flopping on their support for former President Joe Biden following his disastrous debate performance. Public reaction has been merciless, with political commentator Russell Drew calling it "one of the worst branding disasters in media history." Conservatives, meanwhile, seized on the rebrand as proof of MSNBC's ideological bankruptcy. "President [Donald] Trump completely destroyed them," one account declared. "They will never recover." (Related: Trump takes aim at MSNBC and CNN, predicts liberal media's downfall.) Despite the backlash, MSNBC leadership insists the change reflects evolution, not retreat. In a staff memo, the network's President Rebecca Kutler emphasized that it would remain committed to "breaking news and opinion journalism," while expanding its newsroom independent of NBC News. "This allows us to set our own course," she wrote. Yet history suggests rebrands rarely solve deeper problems. CNN's ill-fated pivot to CNN+ under previous ownership serves as a cautionary tale. As MS NOW prepares for its official launch later this year, its biggest challenge may not be its name, but whether audiences still care. For a network once synonymous with liberal commentary, the move signals an acknowledgment of its tarnished credibility – but whether a fresh coat of paint can revive a fading brand remains to be seen. In an era where trust in media is at historic lows, MSNBC's gamble underscores a harsh truth. No logo change can erase a legacy of polarization. Visit MediaFactWatch.com for more similar stories. Watch Bill O'Reilly commenting on MSNBC's termination of unhinged leftist journalist Joy Reid in this clip. This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com.

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