Who Owns MSNBC

MSNBC, now rebranded as MS NOW, is owned by Versant Media Group, an independent publicly traded company on Nasdaq under the ticker VSNT. The network separated from NBCUniversal and Comcast through a tax-free spin-off that closed in January 2026.

Originally launched in 1996 as a joint venture between NBC and Microsoft, the channel spent nearly three decades under NBCUniversal before transitioning to Versant. On November 15, 2025, it rebranded from MSNBC to MS NOW — short for “My Source for News, Opinion, and the World” — and relocated from 30 Rockefeller Plaza to 229 West 43rd Street in Manhattan. Rebecca Kutler serves as president, overseeing programming and the buildout of newsgathering operations separate from NBC News.

Who Owns MSNBC?

Versant Media Group owns MS NOW (formerly MSNBC). Versant became an independent, publicly traded company when Comcast completed its spin-off on January 2, 2026. Under the terms of the deal, Comcast shareholders received one share of Versant stock for every 25 shares of Comcast stock they held.

Versant Media Group’s Role

Versant operates as a holding company for several cable networks and digital brands, including CNBC, USA Network, Golf Channel, E!, Oxygen, SYFY, Fandango, and Rotten Tomatoes. Mark Lazarus, the former chairman of NBCUniversal Media Group, serves as Versant’s CEO. Anand Kini holds dual roles as CFO and COO.

Before the spin-off, MSNBC was part of the NBCUniversal News Group alongside CNBC and NBC News. Comcast had acquired full ownership of NBCUniversal from General Electric in 2013 for approximately $16.7 billion. The 2026 separation placed MS NOW and other cable networks under Versant while Comcast retained NBC, Telemundo, Peacock, Universal Pictures, and Bravo.

Largest Shareholders of MSNBC

Because MS NOW does not trade independently, its ownership mirrors the shareholder structure of Versant Media Group (VSNT). The spin-off distributed Versant shares directly to existing Comcast shareholders, which means the same institutional investors that held large positions in Comcast now hold equivalent stakes in Versant.

Brian L. Roberts and the Roberts Family

Brian L. Roberts controls roughly one-third of Versant’s total voting power through Class B supervoting shares, mirroring the same dual-class structure his family maintained at Comcast. This concentrated voting authority ensures that the Roberts family, which founded Comcast in 1963, retains influence over Versant’s strategic direction despite holding a small fraction of total equity.

Institutional Investors

Major institutional shareholders in Comcast — such as Vanguard Group (approximately 9.78% of Comcast shares), BlackRock, and State Street — received proportional Versant stakes through the distribution. These firms manage shares primarily through index funds and passive vehicles.

How the Spin-Off Changed MSNBC’s Ownership

Until January 2026, Comcast Corporation was MSNBC’s ultimate parent through NBCUniversal. The spin-off made Versant independent. Comcast structured the transaction as a tax-free distribution — no single buyer acquired Versant. Its shares went to existing Comcast stockholders. Versant opened trading on Nasdaq at $45.17 per share and closed its first day at $40.57, reflecting investor caution about legacy cable networks.

History of MSNBC Co-founders

MSNBC launched on July 15, 1996, as a 50-50 joint venture between NBC and Microsoft. The partnership was one of the first efforts to merge traditional TV news with digital platforms.

NBC’s Contribution

NBC, then a subsidiary of General Electric, brought its journalism infrastructure, production facilities, and correspondent network to the venture. Tom Rogers, an NBC executive who later served as president of CNBC, was a driving force behind the channel’s creation and launch strategy.

Microsoft’s Early Involvement and Exit

Microsoft contributed technology resources and online distribution capacity, helping build msnbc.com as a companion digital platform. The company sold its stake in the cable channel by 2005, and ended its involvement with msnbc.com in 2012. After Microsoft’s full exit, NBCUniversal assumed sole ownership of MSNBC across both TV and digital — a structure that remained intact until the Versant spin-off.

Who Is on the Board of Directors for MSNBC?

MS NOW does not have its own separate board. Governance falls under Versant Media Group’s board of directors, which was first announced in July 2025 and took effect after the spin-off closed. The board has ten members with backgrounds spanning media, finance, technology, law, and consumer brands.

Chairman and CEO

David Novak chairs the board. He is the founder of David Novak Leadership and the former CEO of Yum! Brands, where he oversaw global franchises including KFC, Taco Bell, and Pizza Hut. Mark Lazarus sits on the board as CEO and director, bringing decades of experience from running NBCUniversal’s TV and streaming operations.

Media and Entertainment

Rebecca Campbell, who spent over 20 years at The Walt Disney Company and now serves as interim CEO of Meow Wolf, provides entertainment industry perspective. David Eun, founding advisor to Kanza AI and former president of Samsung Electronics, started his career at NBC and held senior roles at Google and Time Warner.

Finance and Investment

Gerald L. Hassell, former chairman and CEO of The Bank of New York Mellon, brings financial services governance experience. Maritza Montiel, former deputy CEO of Deloitte & Touche’s U.S. business, serves on boards including Royal Caribbean Group. Len Potter, founder of Wildcat Capital Management, adds investment and board-level experience from firms like Hilton Grand Vacations.

Legal, Consumer Brands, and Strategy

Creighton Condon, of counsel at A&O Shearman, specializes in M&A and corporate governance. Michael Conway, former CEO of Starbucks North America, has a background in consumer goods at Johnson & Johnson and Campbell Soup. Scott Mahoney, chairman and CEO of Peter Millar, brings brand development and golf industry expertise — relevant given Versant’s ownership of Golf Channel.

FAQs

Who is the current owner of MSNBC?

Versant Media Group owns MSNBC (now called MS NOW). Versant became independent after spinning off from Comcast in January 2026 and trades on Nasdaq under ticker VSNT.

Is MSNBC still owned by Comcast or NBCUniversal?

No. MSNBC separated from NBCUniversal through the Versant spin-off completed in January 2026. Comcast retained NBC, Peacock, Universal Pictures, and Bravo.

Does Microsoft still own part of MSNBC?

No. Microsoft sold its cable channel stake by 2005 and exited its online partnership in 2012. It has no current ownership interest in the network.

Why did MSNBC change its name to MS NOW?

The rebrand removed NBC’s name and logo after the Versant separation. MS NOW stands for “My Source for News, Opinion, and the World” and took effect November 15, 2025.

Are MSNBC and CNN owned by the same company?

No. MS NOW (formerly MSNBC) is owned by Versant Media Group. CNN operates under Warner Bros. Discovery. They are separate corporate entities with different parent companies.