MSNBC will officially change its name to MS Now, which stands for My Source News Opinion World, as part of a spinoff from NBCUniversal. This rebranding is set to take place later this year, coinciding with Comcast's plan to create a new publicly traded company called Versant. The announcement was made in a memo to staff on Monday.

Versant will encompass several cable networks, including MSNBC, CNBC, USA Network, Oxygen, E!, SYFY, and the Golf Channel. The move aims to establish a distinct identity for these networks, separating them from NBC. Mark Lazarus, CEO of Versant, emphasized the importance of building an individual vision for the future. He noted that the peacock logo, a symbol of NBCUniversal, will remain with NBC, allowing Versant to forge its own path.

Rebecca Kutler, president of MSNBC, assured staff that the network's editorial direction will remain unchanged despite the name change. "While our name will be changing, who we are and what we do will not," she stated in an internal memo. Kutler highlighted the network's commitment to its audience and its brand promise, which has been consistent for three decades.

The rebranding will be accompanied by a national marketing campaign, described by Kutler as unprecedented in recent memory. CNBC will retain its acronym, which stands for Consumer News and Business Channel, but will also introduce a new logo that does not feature the peacock.

Comcast will continue to own NBCUniversal assets, including the NBC broadcast network, NBC News, NBC Sports, the streaming service Peacock, and the Bravo cable channel. This strategic shift is part of Comcast's broader efforts to streamline its media operations and enhance brand clarity.