MS NOW (MSNBC)

The channel launched in 1996 as MSNBC, a joint venture between Microsoft and NBC — the "MS" in the name comes from that partnership. Microsoft later withdrew and the channel remained within NBCUniversal. Its identity settled over time into a liberal, opinion-led line positioned as the counterpart to Fox News.

Following Comcast's decision to move its cable networks into a separate company, the channel was rebranded as MS NOW.

Evening opinion programming is the defining element of its schedule. Watching it alongside Fox News is instructive for seeing how political identity shapes editorial line in American cable news.