WHAT NOW?

Rachel Maddow Has ‘No Idea How to Pronounce’ MSNBC’s New Name

The name change comes as Comcast separates the network from NBC.

Rachel Maddow is confused by MSNBC’s soon-to-be new name “MS Now,” which was announced Monday amid the network’s separation from NBCUniversal. “I will admit to having no idea how to pronounce ‘MS NOW’ (and I’m still not all that sure about pronouncing ‘Versant,’ either),” Maddow told Variety of the change and MSNBC’s new parent company Versant. She does think the separation itself is “good for us,” however. She explained, “What NBC doing in its legacy timeslots... is just a world away from the 24/7 totally independent news operation that we’re able to stand up now, thanks to the spin-off.” MSNBC acknowledged that the name change may be jarring to some viewers in a statement Monday. “For our viewers who have watched us for decades, it may be hard to imagine this network by any other name. We understand. But our promise to you remains as it always has. You know who we are, and what we do.” Trying to find the bright side, Maddow added, “We’re at least dropping our syllable count from five to three!“ which she called, ”An efficiency gain!”