Comcast, the company that owns NBC News, has taken full ownership of online news network MSNBC.com, which will now be named NBCNews.com.
The dissolution of the joint venture was announced on late Sunday, on the day the news service was celebrating its 16th birthday. The financial details of the breakup were not disclosed.
Microsoft is set to launch its own news operation later this year on its Web portal, MSN.com.
Anyone opening up the MSNBC.com website is now automatically redirected to NBCNews.com. Eventually, MSNBC.com will become the website for the cable TV channel MSNBC.
Jennifer Sizemore, editor-in-chief of the service, wrote on her blog: : While our name is changing, our commitment is not. In fact, in the weeks and months ahead, we’ll be bringing you more of what you love today, and NBCNews.com will stay true to its mandate of delivering the news you need with the innovative spirit you’ve come to expect across all of our digital platforms. Over the years, we’ve won dozens of awards for our digital coverage, but the real reward has been serving you, our audience.”
She also announced plans for the future: “In fact, there’s more to come: MSNBC TV will launch a new digital home in 2013, as an extension of the MSNBC TV on-air brand, creating in-depth content and a community for the passionate audiences of MSNBC programmes.”
