MSNBC.com renamed as Microsoft and NBC split, what now?
(CBS News) This morning, visitors of MSNBC.com were redirected to NBCNews.com, as a result of Microsoft and NBC parting ways after 16 years.
Microsoft, NBC dissolve MSNBC.com
Both companies insist the split was amicable. However, diverging ideologies and sales limitations brought on by the relationship have been reported to be some of the reasons for the breakup.
The buyout cost Microsoft $300 million, the New York Times reports, citing anonymous sources. The software giant initially invested $220 million in the partnership and has lost over $10 billion in the last seven years, according to the Associated Press.
So what does this mean for users? Apart from a change of logo, not much will change for users today. MSNBC and NBC News are hosted on one site - for now.
MSNBC shows like "The Rachel Maddow Show," "Morning Joe" and "Hardball" will continue to be hosted by NBCNews.com until next year when the cable network will get its own website. There is currently a link for MSNBC that redirects to a placeholder for the cable network.
Microsoft sold its stake in cable network in 2005. While users are being directed to NBC News' new web address, shows like "Today" and "Nightly News" remains hosted on the same site - for now. However, they will join Newsvine.com, BreakingNews.com and EveryBlock.com in a newly created division called NBC News Digital.
What does this mean for Microsoft? MSN.com and Bing still have a link on the NBC News homepage, but the software giant is reportedly planning on launching its own news site next year. According to the Associated Press, Microsoft will continue to highlight stories from NBC News on its site for the next two years.
