MSNBC Humiliated and Changed Its Name to MS NOW

MSNBC Rebrands as MS

In a surprising move, MSNBC has formally distanced itself from NBC News and will now operate under the name MS. This change has sparked quite a bit of chatter, with some light-hearted quips circulating on social media.

According to the network, “MS Now” signifies “my news, opinions, and global sources.” There’s a somewhat humorous interpretation floating around that “Ms Now” could humorously refer to a “my sweaty nerd occupying Wisconsin.” It’s almost as if they’re acknowledging some chaotic shift.

MSNBC President Rebecca Kutler emphasized the rebranding in an internal communication, stating that this change highlights their mission to serve as a hub for timely news and high-quality journalism grounded in accurate reporting.

During this transition, NBC Universal believed that a fresh, independent identity was critical. Kutler noted that it would allow them to redefine their direction and maintain independence in their contemporary news-gathering efforts.

Now, MSNBC was birthed in 1996 as a collaboration between Microsoft and NBC. Its early years were marked by notable figures like Keith Olbermann. However, after his departure, Rachel Maddow became the face of the network, championing various conspiracy theories, particularly concerning Donald Trump. It’s hard to forget how she used to assure viewers, “Don’t touch that dial; something big is about to happen regarding Trump.”

Fast forward, and many viewers found themselves disillusioned as predictions faltered, leading to a significant drop in ratings. MSNBC’s current standing isn’t great, and the parent company, Comcast, has pushed forward with rebranding, creating an independent entity named Versant while still being linked to Comcast.

It’s curious why CNBC retains its name while MSNBC doesn’t. There’s a sense that the latter has become a bit of a laughingstock. For NBC to maintain some level of respectability, a full break was probably necessary.

Kutler can present this rebranding as a positive change, but losing the NBC association is a major setback. After decades of being recognizable, the new name, MS, feels rather commonplace, akin to all sorts of lesser-known streaming platforms.

And let’s not overlook that “news” isn’t even in the new name. They’ve completely ditched the iconic peacock logo, too, which feels akin to McDonald’s renaming itself something quirky without the Golden Arches.

Reflecting on past rebranding moves, like Warner Bros. Discovery changing HBO Max to just “Max,” it seems many forget the value of established names. Unfortunately, it appears that MSNBC’s announcement came riddled with the usual spin and untruths.