The Powers That Be: Daily MSNBC’s Identity Crisis & Condé Gets Nasty
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Nov 14, 2025 Dylan Byers, a media reporter and host of The Grill Room podcast, dives deep into the rebranding of MSNBC to MSNOW, discussing its potential impact and the emotional aftermath for the staff. He analyzes how this change may signal a decline in the network’s influence despite internal optimism. The conversation also touches on the firing of unionized employees at Condé Nast amidst protests, highlighting a shift in workplace norms and management's reaction to employee dissent. Dylan reflects on the cultural significance of Teen Vogue and its evolution in the media landscape.
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Rebrand Masks Slow Decline
- MSNOW's rebrand masks a deeper decline: it's the continuation of MSNBC's downsizing, not a renaissance.
- Dylan Byers warns the upbeat internal messaging likely delays painful financial realities by a few years.
Digital Diversification Won't Replace TV Revenue
- Versant executives pitch reinvestment into podcasts and events as a path to growth.
- Byers doubts those diversifications will replace linear-TV revenue long-term.
Use The Honeymoon To Prepare
- Expect a two-to-three year honeymoon period after the rebrand before cost pressures bite.
- Use that window to produce strong journalism and prepare for likely downsizing or sale.