MSNBC's Big Reveal: It's Becoming MS NOW on November 15th!

Big changes are on the horizon for your favorite cable news channel! MSNBC is officially dropping its iconic name and stepping into a new era as MS NOW, kicking off this November.

TL;DR

MSNBC will officially rebrand to MS NOW on November 15, 2025.
This change is part of a major corporate spin-off, with MSNBC (now MS NOW) joining a new company called Versant, separate from NBCUniversal.
Despite the new name and logo, familiar hosts like Rachel Maddow and Joe Scarborough, along with the channel's core mission, will remain the same.

Get Ready for MS NOW: A New Chapter for Your News Source

Alright, news junkies, get ready for a significant shake-up in the cable news landscape! After months of whispers and speculation, we finally have the official date: MSNBC is set to officially rebrand as Ms Now on November 15, 2025. This isn't just a simple name tweak; it's a monumental shift marking the end of nearly three decades under the MSNBC banner and the beginning of an entirely new independent journey.

The network confirmed the upcoming change this Monday, October 27, 2025, revealing that viewers will start seeing special 15-second promotional spots featuring their beloved hosts explaining what's coming. And don't worry, while the name is changing, the commitment to its mission and its familiar faces are reportedly staying put. So, let's break down everything you need to know about this major evolution.

Unpacking the Big Business Move: Why the Name Change?

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So, why the sudden rebrand after all these years? It boils down to a major corporate restructuring. MSNBC's parent company, Comcast, is spinning off several of its cable channels into a brand-new, publicly traded entity called Versant. This new company will be a standalone player in the media world, and along with MS NOW, it will include other well-known channels like CNBC, USA Network, Golf Channel, Oxygen, SyFy, and E!.

The core reason for the name change is quite strategic: NBCUniversal, which launched MSNBC back in 1996 in a partnership with Microsoft, decided it didn't want its recognizable "NBC" brand or the iconic peacock logo associated with a news network it no longer directly controlled. Essentially, as MS NOW becomes an independent rival, NBCUniversal wants to keep its brand distinct. Comcast's decision to offload these channels into Versant also comes amidst industry-wide challenges like cord-cutting, indicating a strategic move to adapt to a changing media landscape.

What "MS NOW" Actually Means and the New Look

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The new name, MS NOW, isn't just a catchy abbreviation. It's an acronym that stands for "My Source for News, Opinion, and the World." This expanded meaning aims to clearly define the network's enduring mission: to deliver breaking news as it happens, offer top-tier opinion journalism rooted in facts, and provide comprehensive reporting on global events. It’s a pretty direct way of telling viewers exactly what they can expect.

Along with the name, the visual identity is also getting an overhaul. Say goodbye to the familiar NBC peacock! The new logo for MS NOW will feature a bold red and white flag set against a blue background, with "MS NOW" written prominently in white bold letters. You might have already started seeing some of the new tagline in action: "Same Mission. New Name." This slogan is central to their marketing campaign, aiming to reassure loyal viewers that while the packaging is different, the core product remains the same.

Your Favorite Hosts and Their Unchanged Commitment

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One of the biggest questions on everyone's mind is, "What about my favorite hosts?" Good news! The current lineup of MSNBC's popular opinion hosts is making the jump to MS NOW. This includes:

Joe Scarborough
Mika Brzezinski
Nicolle Wallace
Ari Melber
Rachel Maddow
Jen Psaki
Lawrence O'Donnell

This continuity in talent is a huge part of the "Same Mission, New Name" promise. Rachel Maddow herself addressed the change in an early teaser video:

"A big change is coming to this network, not in the kinds of stories we tell or in our values or our commitment to the proud and the free and the brave. No, the big change, the only change, is our name. Same mission. New name."

— Rachel Maddow, Host

Her statement, echoed by network President Rebecca Kutler, emphasizes that the channel’s progressive leaning, values, and dedication to its audience won't be altered by the rebrand. Viewers will still find the same depth of analysis and perspective they've come to rely on.

Forging a New Path: An Independent News Powerhouse Emerges

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The move to MS NOW means a full separation from NBC News, which had historically supplied correspondents and shared resources with MSNBC. But this isn't a retreat; it's a strategic expansion. MS NOW has been aggressively building its own independent newsgathering operation over the past nine months. This includes:

A Dedicated Washington Bureau: Staffed to produce original, evidence-based reporting and in-depth investigative journalism, distinct from NBC News's operations.
New Hires: Recruiting experienced reporters and producers from respected outlets like The Washington Post, Politico, and Bloomberg to bolster its in-house talent.
Global Reach with Sky News: A multi-year agreement with UK-based Sky News will provide extensive international coverage, giving MS NOW access to Sky's 11 international bureaus and global reporting capabilities.
10 Core Principles: The network has established a clear set of standards to guide its journalists, focusing on integrity, accuracy, fairness, and transparency, among others. These principles cover everything from how they handle sources to their approach to emerging technologies like AI.

This staffing up and partnership building demonstrates a clear intent to maintain and even enhance its newsgathering capabilities, ensuring it can operate as a fully independent and authoritative news source. Rebecca Kutler highlighted this effort, noting that the organization's "central reporting apparatus is nimble and meant to power reporting across platforms, including online and digital-first products, a roster of podcasts, social video, growing newsletter offerings, and cable network."

Navigating the Evolving Media Landscape

This rebrand into MS NOW and the formation of Versant isn't happening in a vacuum. The media industry is rapidly changing, with traditional cable channels facing headwinds from cord-cutting and the shift towards streaming. Comcast's decision to spin off these channels reflects a belief that these "mature outlets" face a challenging future and that an independent entity like Versant might be better positioned to innovate and adapt.

Versant CEO Mark Lazarus emphasized the entrepreneurial spirit behind the move: "This gives us the opportunity to chart our own path forward, create distinct brand identities, and establish an independent news organization following the spin." For viewers, this could mean a more focused, agile news organization, unburdened by the legacy structure of a larger broadcast network.

Changing the name of a long-established media institution is always a gamble. History is full of examples where such rebrands struggled with audience recognition. However, MS NOW executives are betting that a clear mission, consistent talent, and a robust marketing campaign will ensure a smooth transition and continued success. They're banking on the fact that while the name may be different, the trusted journalism will keep viewers coming back.

What This Means for You, the Viewer

Ultimately, what does this all mean for you? Starting November 15, when you tune in, you'll see "MS NOW" instead of "MSNBC." The NBC peacock will be gone from the logo. However, the hosts you recognize, the style of news and opinion you appreciate, and the commitment to covering "News, Opinion, and the World" will remain. The network is launching a comprehensive marketing effort, including digital and TV spots, to make sure everyone knows where to find them and what to expect.

So, get ready to update your channel guides and bookmarks. Your source for news, opinion, and the world is getting a fresh look and an independent spirit, ready to continue its mission under a new name: MS NOW.

Frequently Asked Questions About the MSNBC to MS NOW Rebrand

When does MSNBC officially become MS NOW?

MSNBC will officially transition and rebrand as MS NOW on November 15, 2025.

What does MS NOW stand for?

MS NOW is an acronym for "My Source for News, Opinion, and the World."

Will the hosts and programming change with the rebrand?

No, the core programming, progressive lineup, and on-air personalities, including Rachel Maddow, Joe Scarborough, and Jen Psaki, will remain with MS NOW. The network's mission and values are also stated to be unchanged, under the tagline "Same Mission. New Name."

Why is MSNBC changing its name?

The name change is due to a corporate spin-off where Comcast is moving several cable channels, including MSNBC, into a new publicly traded company called Versant. NBCUniversal chose to separate its brand and logo from a news operation it no longer directly controls. This move also reflects a strategy to adapt to the challenges of cord-cutting in the modern media landscape.