The winds of change are hitting gale force levels in the entertainment industry. Comcast, for example, is in the process of spinning off most of its linear channels into a new company, which has named itself Versant. The left-leaning cable news network MSNBC was part of that spinoff and has rebranded itself as the network MS NOW. But does MS NOW have different programming than MSNBC did? We’ll fill you in on everything you need to know about MS NOW below.

Everything you need to know about MS NOW

Why did MSNBC rebrand as MS NOW?

MSNBC switched over to its new MS NOW branding in order to put a little more distance between itself and the NBC brand. The company’s broadcast channel NBC did not get spun off with the other linear channels owned by Comcast, and wants to carefully maintain control of that brand, without having to answer for decisions made by executives and talent who are no longer employed by the company. Versant may decide to sell off some assets, and it may be acquired as a whole by a new outlet, so by not continuing with the NBC portion of its name, the news channel is allowing its former parent company to maintain complete control over the brand.

Additionally, if that were to happen, it would cause no end of customer confusion to have a channel named MSNBC that wasn’t really affiliated with any other NBC platforms. So, the channel made the decision to switch its name to the new MS NOW moniker that it will operate under moving forward.

Does MS NOW have the same programming as MSNBC?

Yes, there will be no need to worry about losing access to top MSNBC personalities like Rachel Maddow, Chris Hayes, and other trusted names on the channel. While there may be changes in programming in MS NOW in the future, the rebrand of the channel does not mean any major show removals or firings are on the way.

Is MS NOW the same channel number as MSNBC?

While many cable, satellite, and live TV streaming services have done away with channel numbers as they are remembered, MS NOW will occupy the same spot in a viewer’s electronic programming guide that MSNBC formerly did. Thankfully, you won’t have to go on any kind of hunt to find the network.

Is MS NOW on a streaming service?

While a selection of MSNBC content used to stream on Peacock, MS NOW does not have an established on-demand streaming partner at the moment. That could change in the future, but for now, the best way to watch MS NOW programming is with a pay-TV plan that carries the network.

Which streamers carry MS NOW?

You can find MS NOW on all the streaming services you could formerly access MSNBC on. That includes DIRECTV, Fubo, Hulu + Live TV, Sling TV, and YouTube TV, which offer the channel in various packages at different price points.