MSNBC name change: See what netizens are saying about the rebrand
After the cable-news network announced it would become My Source News Opinion World, or MS NOW, later this year, netizens have taken to social media to make their disdain for the name and logo change more than abundantly clear.
The issue, according to the Internet, isn't just the name, it's also the look and 'feel' of the new logo.
'MSNBC changing its name to MS NOW is one of the worst branding disasters in media history. The logo looks like it belongs on a discount computer from 1998, not a serious news network,' one user wrote. 'Absurd.'
The rebranding is part of a larger restructuring currently taking place at NBCUniversal. The network, along with other brands including USA Network, Syfy, CNBC, Golf Channel, GolfNow, and SportsEngine will become part of a new media company called VERSANT later this year.
'This name further underscores our mission: to serve as your destination for breaking news and thoughtful analysis and remain the home for the perspectives that you've relied on for nearly 30 years,' MSNBC said in an Aug. 18 statement.'
See what netizens are saying about the rebrand.
Why the name change? And what does MS NOW stand for?
MS NOW stands for My Source News Opinion World and the name change, according to MSNBC, 'gives us the freedom to chart our own path forward, and we're excited about where it's headed.'
The move conflicts with previous claims made by NBCUniversal that the network would be allowed to keep its name amid the shift. NBC's iconic peacock logo will no longer be used for the cable-news network, either.
A memo sent Aug. 18 by MSNBC President Rebecca Kutler addressed the flip-flop, writing:
'During this time of transition, NBCUniversal decided that our brand requires a new, separate identity… The future of our success is not tied to remaining within the NBC family and using the peacock as part of our identity,' Rebecca Kutler, MSNBC President, wrote in an Aug. 18 memo addressed to staff.
The peacock-looking logo, according to MSNBC CEO Mark Lazarus, 'is synonymous with NBCUniversal, and it is a symbol they have decided to keep within the NBCU family.'
Because of this decision, MSNBC is now free to 'chart our own path forward, create distinct brand identities, and establish an independent news organization following the spin.'
Social media reacts: 'I will never call it the new name'
MSNBC has certainly ruffled some feathers with the announcement, with netizens posting reactions (complete with GIFs), opinions and critiques about the rebrand, dubbed one of the 'worst branding disasters in media history' on X, formerly known as Twitter, in the last 24 hours.
Here's what netizens are saying, or have said, about MSNBC's proposed rebrand since the news broke on Aug. 18.
MSNBC to changing their name to MS NOW is like HBO changing their name to MAX and facebook changing to Meta and Twitter to XI will never call it the new name pic.twitter.com/xCRrKHVpcA
— David Leavitt 🎲🎮🧙♂️🌈 (@David_Leavitt) August 18, 2025
Liza Minnelli has outlived MSNBC's name. The channel will soon become MS NOW, short for My Source for News, Opinion, and the World. pic.twitter.com/kOVDoXoq7B
— LizaMinnelliOutlives (@LiZaOutlives) August 18, 2025
MSNBC changing its name to MS NOW is one of the worst branding disasters in media history. The logo looks like it belongs on a discount computer from 1998, not a serious news network. Absurd. pic.twitter.com/vjLAw6cOt5
— Russell Drew (@RussOnPolitics) August 18, 2025
NEWS: MSNBC is renaming itself MS NOW (Martin Scorsese 'n' Olivia Wilde) pic.twitter.com/JYup5OW01W
— Mike Beauvais (@MikeBeauvais) August 18, 2025
The MSNBC rebrand feels like an intentional attempt to kill the network. I hope they prove us wrong, but right now it's just horrible.
— Rhonda Elaine Foxx (@RhonnieF) August 18, 2025
MSNBC today: https://t.co/N4EculocjD pic.twitter.com/oHMkgEdkF2
— Sophie Vershbow (@svershbow) August 18, 2025
MSNBC is now MSNOW. Just like MSNBC viewers, always Ms Now, never Mrs Forever. pic.twitter.com/Y9VPFGq3Pf
— Jessica Vaugn (@JessicaVaugn) August 19, 2025
MSNBC changing their name to MSNOW if you're interested pic.twitter.com/hPWXWoPPJV
— Shaggy (@MAGAShagster) August 18, 2025
Did MSNBC hire the Jaguar team for their rebrand? pic.twitter.com/KSrpHF1OAG
— Kevin Dalton (@TheKevinDalton) August 18, 2025
So failing MSNBC is renaming itself to MSNOW?Lol, who were the ad wizards who came up with this one? pic.twitter.com/y6YADgkDPV
— Bill Mitchell (@mitchellvii) August 18, 2025
honestly thought the world couldn't get any stupider and then MSNBC rebranded their name and I just
— Dinah (@dinahaddie) August 19, 2025
MSNBC to change name to MS NOW no I'm not kidding
— Keith Olbermann (@KeithOlbermann) August 18, 2025
MSNBC is changing its name to what now?
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) August 18, 2025
MSNBC should have gone old school. pic.twitter.com/S6HnT8fCCu
— Joe Flint (@JBFlint) August 19, 2025
MS NOW sounds like a short-lived Windows operating system from the early 2000s that needlessly redesigned too much and failed to be adopted by a critical mass of users https://t.co/kSJO19bJxX
— Josh Billinson (@jbillinson) August 18, 2025
please welcome to the stage... Ms. Now! https://t.co/g288WXQMsS
— Tom Smyth (@Tom_Smyth_) August 18, 2025
MS NOW joins the list of dubious rebranding/marketing efforts that includes New Coke, Pizza Hut briefly considering "The Hut," Vegemite calling itself iSnack 2.0 -- and RadioShack holding a "Netogether" event to embrace the nickname "The Shack." pic.twitter.com/fTQRvLKBHe
— Richard Roeper (@RichardERoeper) August 19, 2025
*adjusting my tie and walking to her table to take my shot*Is there a MISTER NOW, MS NOW? https://t.co/VAkqVGyxLy
— Mike Drucker (@MikeDrucker) August 18, 2025
Since they are just Microsoft now, the blue screen makes so much more sense. #MSNOW #msnbc pic.twitter.com/ThtqDxcEfy
— Pen Blaidd (@BlaiddPen) August 18, 2025
"MS. NOW" is what I call my boyfriend when he complains that I take too long getting out the door https://t.co/NunGjsJRTo
— Sam Biederman (@Biedersam) August 18, 2025
they've already got a great new logo for MS NOW pic.twitter.com/WuC5rWcBcI
— Dave Itzkoff (@ditzkoff) August 18, 2025
MSNBC's horrible rebrand is going to bring Americans together again. Thanks, Ms. Now! If you get married, will you be Mrs. Now? pic.twitter.com/erMLaez52P
— Bottom of the Main Line (@MainLineSpy) August 18, 2025
Trump on his way to make fun of the 'MS Now' rebranding disaster like pic.twitter.com/BIvCyQXOPJ
— Sunny (@sunnyright) August 18, 2025
After MS Now will be MS Go, and then MS Max, and then just MS.
— Scott Nover (@ScottNover) August 18, 2025
Contributing: Anna Kaufman, USA TODAY
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Social media reacts to MSNBC name change: 'I will never call it [that]'
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