MSNBC is undergoing a major rebrand, separating from NBC Universal and adopting a new name and logo.
According to The Daily Wire, the cable news network will now be called “MS NOW,” an acronym for “My Source, News, Opinion, World.”
The change means the network will also replace the iconic NBC peacock logo that had long signified its affiliation with the larger NBC News organization.
The rebranding comes as part of a broader corporate deal spinning the network away from NBC Universal.
Media commentators and viewers quickly reacted to the announcement, with many noting the significance of MSNBC losing its long-standing association with NBC.
Fox News contributor Joe Concha shared the updated logo and branding details, writing, “MSNBC will be renaming itself to this. And this isn’t a joke.”
MSNBC will be renaming itself to this. And this isn’t a joke. pic.twitter.com/3TRxvrIXlA
— Joe Concha (@JoeConchaTV) August 18, 2025
Public reaction online ranged from skepticism to outright mockery.
Columnist Miranda Devine commented, “LOL. The brand must have been so toxic. MSDNC burned!”
LOL. The brand must have been so toxic. MSDNC burned! https://t.co/hluoCwX937
— Miranda Devine (@mirandadevine) August 18, 2025
Another social media user remarked, “Looks like one of those fake AI run sites thrown together in Bulgaria.”
looks like one of those fake AI run sites thrown together in Bulgaria https://t.co/KG1V4KVkAb
— Daniel Greenfield – "Hang Together or Separately" (@Sultanknish) August 18, 2025
Others speculated about the network’s future.
One user wrote, “I bet MSNOW only lasts a few years before they shut it down. MSNBC greatly benefited from their association with NBC News. In the past, I’ve watched MSNBC because of their NBC News content. Major downgrade.”
Mike Bird of The Economist added, “Can’t wait to find out how much got spent renaming a well-known brand to something that sounds like a Windows app.”
Despite the criticism, MSNBC leadership and on-air talent sought to reassure viewers that the rebrand would not alter the network’s programming or mission.
Jesse Rodriguez, Vice President of Editorial and Booking, posted on X: “Exciting news. Our mission will not change. Our commitment to our loyal viewers will not change. Who we are is not changing.”
On-air, the network also addressed the shift. “Morning Joe” host Joe Scarborough described the new logo as “sporty” and emphasized what he called the network’s “independence” under the new corporate structure with Versant, the company overseeing the spinoff.
CNBC host Andrew Ross Sorkin also expressed support, saying, “I like this,” and suggesting the move highlighted the network’s independence from traditional broadcast media.
Here was Joe Scarborough announcing on 'Morning Joe' that MSNBC will be changing its name to MS NOW once the network completes its split from NBCUniversal.
— Curtis Houck (@CurtisHouck) August 18, 2025
Watch these clowns try and spin this as fan-freak-tastic. pic.twitter.com/1rKWa3Rr7z
Rachel Maddow, one of MSNBC’s most prominent hosts, echoed that sentiment in an interview with Variety.
“If there was ever a time for us to change our name, this is it — because we’re not just separating from NBC News in corporate terms, we’re competing with them now. So I think the distinction is going to be good for us,” Maddow said. “What NBC is doing in its legacy timeslots — the ‘Today Show,’ ‘Nightly,’ ‘Meet the Press’ — is just a world away from the 24/7 totally independent news operation that we’re able to stand up now, thanks to the spin-off.”
The rebranding effort officially marks the network’s first major departure from the NBC brand since its creation in 1996 as a joint venture between NBC and Microsoft.
With the new corporate ownership under Versant, the network is aiming to reintroduce itself to audiences under a new identity, independent from the parent company it had relied on for nearly three decades.
