Former MSNBC host Joy Reid recently likened the network to ‘Sesame Street,’ highlighting its role as a ‘lifeline’ for liberal viewers who felt a strong connection to its hosts. During a podcast interview with comedian Pete Dominick, Reid argued that MSNBC provided a respite from right-wing networks and that its diverse, relatable hosts fostered a sense of personal friendship with viewers. She also addressed the recent name change of the network to ‘MS NOW’ as part of a larger shift under Comcast’s spinoff. Reid’s show was canceled by MSNBC earlier this year as part of a network shake-up. She described her audience as feeling like they had close friends on the network, and emphasized the diversity of the hosts, including multiple Asian Americans, as a key factor in the network’s relatability. She also noted the mixed reactions from viewers, with some White Americans expressing a longing for her show while Black Americans opted out of MSNBC altogether. Additionally, Reid made the ‘Sesame Street’ analogy again later in the discussion, comparing the network’s role to that of Grover, implying that viewers were more devoted to individual personalities than to the channel itself. The left-leaning network is set to undergo a rebranding, changing its name to ‘My Source News Opinion World,’ or MS NOW, as part of Comcast’s spinoff from NBCUniversal. Mark Lazarus, who will serve as the head of the new company, Versant, told The Wall Street Journal that MS NOW would continue catering to a progressive audience and prioritize ‘holding the political figures from both parties to account.’ The shift in the network’s name and leadership is expected to maintain its focus on progressive perspectives and accountability journalism.