MSNBC's identity crisis has come full circle as the network prepares to rebrand itself as MS NOW. The new name, which stands for My Source for News, Opinion, and World, is a forced acronym that pays homage to the network's 1990s partnership with Microsoft. But the real question on everyone's mind is: what does it mean?
As MSNBC prepares to shed its legacy of being a liberal-leaning voice in cable news, the new name is an attempt to reposition itself as a trusted source of news and analysis. However, the decision has been met with skepticism by some, including former host Joy Reid, who questioned whether a name change would make a significant difference.
The split from NBCUniversal has brought about big changes for MSNBC/MS NOW. The network had to build its own news-gathering operation from scratch, which was deemed a success on election night. The trial run showed that the in-house reporting team could keep up with the big boys, and it's clear that the new management is eager to prove themselves.
One thing is certain: MS NOW has its work cut out for it. As cable news networks face declining subscription fees and viewers increasingly opting for cheaper streaming options, MSNBC/MS NOW must adapt to stay relevant. The question is whether the rebranding effort will be enough to attract new audiences or simply confuse existing ones.
The network's focus on promoting its hosts as individual brands has been a successful strategy so far. Stars like Rachel Maddow and Joe Scarborough have built massive followings, but it remains to be seen how well MS NOW will resonate with viewers who are more interested in the personalities than the name.
In an effort to generate buzz around the rebranding, MSNBC/MS NOW has launched a $20 million advertising campaign. The ads aim to position the network as a trusted source of news and analysis, but some critics have accused the effort of being overly simplistic and lacking substance.
As MS NOW embarks on this new chapter, it's clear that there will be those who are excited about the change – like Mika Brzezinski, who declared herself happy with the new name. But others, like Joy Reid, remain skeptical, questioning whether a name change can truly make a difference in the world of cable news.
Only time will tell if MS NOW will find its footing as it navigates this brave new world of online news consumption and social media-driven politics. One thing is certain: it won't be easy, but with its talented roster of hosts and a committed team, MS NOW has a fighting chance to prove itself as a credible source of news and analysis in the years ahead.
As MSNBC prepares to shed its legacy of being a liberal-leaning voice in cable news, the new name is an attempt to reposition itself as a trusted source of news and analysis. However, the decision has been met with skepticism by some, including former host Joy Reid, who questioned whether a name change would make a significant difference.
The split from NBCUniversal has brought about big changes for MSNBC/MS NOW. The network had to build its own news-gathering operation from scratch, which was deemed a success on election night. The trial run showed that the in-house reporting team could keep up with the big boys, and it's clear that the new management is eager to prove themselves.
One thing is certain: MS NOW has its work cut out for it. As cable news networks face declining subscription fees and viewers increasingly opting for cheaper streaming options, MSNBC/MS NOW must adapt to stay relevant. The question is whether the rebranding effort will be enough to attract new audiences or simply confuse existing ones.
The network's focus on promoting its hosts as individual brands has been a successful strategy so far. Stars like Rachel Maddow and Joe Scarborough have built massive followings, but it remains to be seen how well MS NOW will resonate with viewers who are more interested in the personalities than the name.
In an effort to generate buzz around the rebranding, MSNBC/MS NOW has launched a $20 million advertising campaign. The ads aim to position the network as a trusted source of news and analysis, but some critics have accused the effort of being overly simplistic and lacking substance.
As MS NOW embarks on this new chapter, it's clear that there will be those who are excited about the change – like Mika Brzezinski, who declared herself happy with the new name. But others, like Joy Reid, remain skeptical, questioning whether a name change can truly make a difference in the world of cable news.
Only time will tell if MS NOW will find its footing as it navigates this brave new world of online news consumption and social media-driven politics. One thing is certain: it won't be easy, but with its talented roster of hosts and a committed team, MS NOW has a fighting chance to prove itself as a credible source of news and analysis in the years ahead.
i think msnbc/MSN now is trying to play catch up here. their new name might be a bit forced but it's an attempt to stay relevant in this changing media landscape 
cable news is all about personalities these days so if they can keep rachael maddow and joe scarborough on board, i think they'll do alright 
. plus, building from scratch was no easy feat - they did well on election night that's gotta count for something 
. I mean, have you seen the ads? All that hype and no substance 
. And what's with this name change? My Source for News, Opinion, and World? Sounds like a fancy way of saying "we're still confused about who we are 
". Give me a break! The network's tried to build its own news-gathering operation from scratch, but it'll take more than that to compete with the likes of Fox News or even (gasp) YouTube 
. But hey, who knows? Maybe MSNOW will surprise us and actually delivers some quality content 
but honestly it's still gonna be super hard for them to shake off that reputation. they gotta prove themselves to all these new viewers who aren't gonna care about their hosts being individual brands 
also that $20m ad campaign is just gonna make people think "oh great another cable network trying to be popular" 
let's see how long ms now lasts without getting lost in the shuffle 
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. We're not just watching cable news anymore; we're scrolling through our feeds, engaging with influencers, and seeking out diverse perspectives 
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. I get it, they're trying to rebrand themselves, but what's wrong with just sticking with MSNBC? It was fine, you know? They didn't need to force a new acronym that sounds like something a middle schooler would come up with 
. And what's the point of the "NOW" part? Is it supposed to be all mysterious and edgy? Newsflash: it's just a name change 
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. I'll stick with my old MSNBC, thank you very much 
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. and with all these big changes, like splitting from nbcuniversal, it feels like they're trying to reinvent the wheel... does anyone really think a name change is gonna make that much of a difference? 
So, here's hoping they'll find their footing in this whole online news thing and become a credible source of info. Fingers crossed! 
It feels like an awkward attempt at creating a catchy acronym.
. But with the talent they've got and a committed team behind them, I wouldn't count them out just yet 
