MSNBC Mocked As NBC Universal Spinoff Saddles Network With New Name

Far-left cable news network MSNBC is getting a new name — and will have to replace the NBC-affiliated peacock logo — in a major deal that will spin the network away from NBC Universal, and the reactions so far have been mixed at best.

Fox News regular Joe Concha shared a graphic showing the new name against a solid royal blue background: MS NOW, an acronym that was spelled out to mean My Source, News, Opinion, World.

“MSNBC will be renaming itself to this. And this isn’t a joke,” Concha said.

MSNBC will be renaming itself to this. And this isn’t a joke. pic.twitter.com/3TRxvrIXlA

— Joe Concha (@JoeConchaTV) August 18, 2025

“LOL. The brand must have been so toxic. MSDNC burned!” Miranda Devine posted in response.

LOL. The brand must have been so toxic. MSDNC burned! https://t.co/hluoCwX937

— Miranda Devine (@mirandadevine) August 18, 2025

“Looks like one of those fake AI run sites thrown together in Bulgaria,” another replied.

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

“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,” another added.

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. https://t.co/oq8GNNYtwL

— Andrea Katherine (@AndreaKatSTL) August 18, 2025

“Can’t wait to find out how much got spent renaming a well-known brand to something that sounds like a Windows app,” The Economist’s Mike Bird quipped.

Can’t wait to find out how much got spent renaming a well-known brand to something that sounds like a Windows app https://t.co/q9wJOuVrT2

— Mike Bird (@Birdyword) August 18, 2025

But when it came to those who would be working for the newly rebranded network, it quickly became clear that the talking points had been given out from the top.

“Exciting news. Our mission will not change. Our commitment to our loyal viewers will not change. Who we are is not changing,” 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. https://t.co/lNQubwr8ej

— Jesse Rodriguez (@JesseRodriguez) August 18, 2025

“Morning Joe” host Joe Scarborough approached the breaking news on Monday’s broadcast, calling the new logo “sporty” and touting the new network’s “independence” under the new Versant brand.

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.

Watch these clowns try and spin this as fan-freak-tastic. pic.twitter.com/1rKWa3Rr7z

— Curtis Houck (@CurtisHouck) August 18, 2025

CNBC’s Andrew Ross Sorkin said, “I like this,” also stating that the move showed the new network’s “independence” from traditional media.

Longtime MSNBC host Rachel Maddow also touted the move, telling 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. 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.”