Lipstick on a pig; New moniker for cable news channel

November 15 marks the launch of the rebranded MSNBC—MS-NOW, as I like to emphasize with a hyphen. The official name drops the dash, but that hardly dilutes the spectacle of a “new” network shedding its NBC roots (and any lingering Microsoft association from decades past). This could have been a pivot toward genuine journalistic integrity—unbiased reporting, fair and balanced coverage. It won’t be. Instead, expect a 24/7 barrage of far-left opinion under the guise of news: ATTv—Attack Trump Television. Every quip, policy, or offhand remark will trigger “breaking news” alerts screaming that democracy hangs by a thread and the republic’s demise is imminent.The only real changes? A fresh logo, the departure of NBC’s production team, and a rotating cast of partisan bobbleheads delivering the same predictable venom. Tune in if you must—many conservatives will, if only to keep tabs on the opposition—but don’t expect redemption.

MSNBC was launched on July 15, 1996, as a groundbreaking joint venture between Microsoft and NBC, hence the name “MSNBC.” The network combined Microsoft’s digital expertise with NBC’s broadcast news prowess, debuting as a 24-hour cable news channel and an accompanying online portal (MSNBC.com).

On July 16, 2012, Microsoft sold its remaining interest in MSNBC.com to NBCUniversal for $300 million in cash and equity. The site was immediately rebranded as NBCNews.com to align more closely with NBC’s broader news operations, while a simplified MSNBC.com was relaunched under the cable channel’s editorial control. MSNBC leaned more heavily into progressive commentary, differentiating it from NBC News’ straight-news focus.

In late 2024, Comcast announced plans to spin off most of its cable networks—including MSNBC, CNBC, USA Network, and others—into a new publicly traded entity called Versant, focusing on linear TV amid the rise of streaming. This separation required MSNBC to fully detach from NBCUniversal’s resources, including shared newsgathering and branding elements like the iconic peacock logo (a hallmark of NBC since 1956). On August 18, 2025, MSNBC revealed its rebrand to “MS NOW,” a backronym standing for “My Source [for] News, Opinion, [and the] World.”