URGENT UPDATE: MSNBC has announced a dramatic rebranding to become MS NOW, effective immediately, following NBCUniversal’s decision to remove the network’s iconic peacock logo. Mark Lazarus, head of the newly formed company Versant, revealed the change during a staff meeting, marking a significant shift in the network’s identity just a few weeks after previously assuring employees that the MSNBC name would remain intact.
The rebranding comes as part of a broader strategy by Comcast, which plans to spin off its cable assets into a separate publicly traded entity by the end of 2025, valued at an estimated $7 billion. This transition necessitates a clear separation from the NBC brand, which will retain the peacock logo.
“During this time of transition, it has become clear that our brands need separation,” Rebbeca Kutler, President of MSNBC, communicated in a memo to staff. She emphasized that the rebrand allows the network to “set our own course and assert our independence.” The channel will adopt a new logo featuring a blue background with a red-and-white striped flag, a stark contrast to the previous logo associated with NBC.
MSNBC has been actively building its newsroom operations independently over the past eight months, hiring numerous journalists from renowned organizations like CNN and The Washington Post. The network will operate under the MSNBC name while finalizing this transition, with plans for a comprehensive marketing campaign “unlike anything we have done in recent memory,” according to Kutler.
This rebranding marks a pivotal moment for MSNBC, which has struggled to surpass rival Fox News in ratings since its launch in 1996. The urgency of this change reflects a strategic shift aimed at redefining the network’s identity in a saturated media landscape.
What’s Next: As the rebranding unfolds, viewers can expect to see MS NOW’s new identity take shape along with a refreshed programming lineup. The network’s leadership is optimistic that this move will enhance its competitive edge and resonate with audiences seeking independent news perspectives.
Stay tuned for further updates as this story develops.
