MS … NOW? As MSNBC Rebrands, a $20 Million Effort to Avoid Confusion.

MS … NOW? As MSNBC Rebrands, a $20 Million Effort to Avoid Confusion.

After three decades, the MSNBC brand will be retired on Nov. 15. The network has called in Rachel Maddow to help viewers make the transition.

Truth Analysis

Factual Accuracy
4/5
Bias Level
3/5

Analysis Summary:

The article appears mostly accurate, with the core claim of MSNBC rebranding as 'MS NOW' supported by an external source. The article exhibits a moderate level of bias due to the framing of the rebranding as an effort to 'avoid confusion' and separate from NBC News, which could be interpreted as a negative slant. The $20 million figure is mentioned in source 3, but in a different context.

Detailed Analysis:

  • Claim: MSNBC brand will be retired on Nov. 15.
  • Verification Source #2: Source 2 indicates that MSNBC is being rebranded as MS NOW.
  • Assessment: Supported by source 2, which confirms the rebranding.
  • Claim: The network has called in Rachel Maddow to help viewers make the transition.
  • Verification Source #3: Source 3 mentions Rachel Maddow in relation to the rebrand, quoting her as saying “We're Still the Same Old MS”.
  • Assessment: Supported by source 3, which confirms her involvement in the rebranding.
  • Claim: A $20 Million Effort to Avoid Confusion.
  • Verification Source #3: Source 3 mentions a $20 million figure, but in the context of a different story about Dahlan and Gaza.
  • Assessment: Potentially misleading. While source 3 mentions $20 million, it's not directly related to the MSNBC rebranding effort. The claim that it's 'to avoid confusion' is not directly supported by the provided sources and could represent bias.
  • Claim: The rebrand is part of Comcast's efforts to separate the progressive cable news channel from NBC News and its other assets.
  • Verification Source #2: Source 2 states that the rebrand is part of Comcast's efforts to separate the progressive cable news channel from NBC News and its other assets.
  • Assessment: Supported by source 2.

Supporting Evidence/Contradictions:

  • Source 2: 'The rebrand, announced Monday, is part of Comcast's efforts to separate the progressive cable news channel from NBC News and its other assets...'
  • Source 3: 'Rachel Maddow on MSNBC's Big Rebrand: “We're Still the Same Old MS”.'