MSNBC began in 1996 as a partnership between NBC News and Microsoft. Nearly 30 years later, it split from NBC News and took on a new name: MS NOW. The channel now operates under Versant with its own newsroom and a familiar mix of breaking news and political commentary.
So, if you’re wondering what channel to flip to for the latest breaking news, I’ve got you. MS NOW remains available through cable, satellite, and live TV streaming services. You can also skip the bundle with an MS NOW Membership, which streams the live channel directly.
Below, you’ll find MS NOW channel numbers across six providers in 56 major U.S. cities. I’ll also walk through your live-viewing options and the programs you’ll find once you tune in.
What channel is MS NOW on near me?
When MSNBC changed its name to MS NOW, viewers’ channel numbers stayed the same. The number you need still depends on your provider and location: DIRECTV and DISH use consistent nationwide numbers, while cable providers often vary by area.
Check out our MS NOW channel number table below. If your city isn’t listed, our zip code tool after the table can help you explore TV providers near you.
MS NOW channel numbers in major U.S. cities
| City | Cox channel | DIRECTV channel | DISH channel | Optimum channel | Spectrum channel | Xfinity channel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albuquerque, NM | — | 356 | 209 | — | — | 30 |
| Anchorage, AK | — | 356 | 209 | — | — | — |
| Atlanta, GA | — | 356 | 209 | — | 43 | 120 |
| Austin, TX | — | 356 | 209 | — | 49 | — |
| Bakersfield, CA | — | 356 | 209 | — | — | — |
| Baltimore, MD | — | 356 | 209 | — | — | 61 |
| Boston, MA | — | 356 | 209 | — | — | 40 |
| Bronx, NY | — | 356 | 209 | 23 | 14 | — |
| Brooklyn, NY | — | 356 | 209 | 23 | 14 | — |
| Buffalo, NY | — | 356 | 209 | — | 59 | — |
| Charlotte, NC | — | 356 | 209 | — | 50 | — |
| Chicago, IL | — | 356 | 209 | — | — | 59 |
| Cincinnati, OH | — | 356 | 209 | — | 49 | — |
| Cleveland, OH | 53 | 356 | 209 | — | 26 | — |
| Colorado Springs, CO | — | 356 | 209 | — | — | 37 |
| Columbus, OH | — | 356 | 209 | — | 57 | — |
| Dallas, TX | — | 356 | 209 | — | 52 | — |
| Denver, CO | — | 356 | 209 | — | — | 65 |
| Detroit, MI | — | 356 | 209 | — | — | 37 |
| El Paso, TX | — | 356 | 209 | — | 33 | — |
| Fort Lauderdale, FL | — | 356 | 209 | — | — | 30 |
| Fort Worth, TX | — | 356 | 209 | — | 52 | — |
| Fresno, CA | — | 356 | 209 | — | — | 17 |
| Honolulu, HI | — | 356 | 209 | — | 107 | — |
| Houston, TX | — | 356 | 209 | — | — | 80 |
| Indianapolis, IN | — | 356 | 209 | — | 52 | 67 |
| Jacksonville, FL | — | 356 | 209 | — | — | 185 |
| Kansas City, MO | — | 356 | 209 | — | 28 | — |
| Las Vegas, NV | 19 | 356 | 209 | — | — | — |
| Los Angeles, CA | — | 356 | 209 | — | 49 | — |
| Louisville, KY | — | 356 | 209 | — | 45 | — |
| Memphis, TN | — | 356 | 209 | — | — | 81 |
| Miami, FL | — | 356 | 209 | — | — | 30 |
| Milwaukee, WI | — | 356 | 209 | — | 46 | — |
| Minneapolis, MN | — | 356 | 209 | — | — | 62 |
| Nashville, TN | — | 356 | 209 | — | — | 51 |
| New Orleans, LA | 72 | 356 | 209 | — | — | — |
| New York, NY | — | 356 | 209 | 23 | 14 | — |
| Oklahoma City, OK | 42 | 356 | 209 | — | — | — |
| Orlando, FL | — | 356 | 209 | — | 26 | 42 |
| Philadelphia, PA | — | 356 | 209 | — | — | 76 |
| Phoenix, AZ | 63 | 356 | 209 | — | — | — |
| Pittsburgh, PA | — | 356 | 209 | — | — | 183 |
| Portland, OR | — | 356 | 209 | — | — | 128 |
| Sacramento, CA | — | 356 | 209 | — | — | 37 |
| Salt Lake City, UT | — | 356 | 209 | — | — | 48 |
| San Antonio, TX | — | 356 | 209 | — | 62 | — |
| San Diego, CA | 39 | 356 | 209 | — | 50 | — |
| San Francisco, CA | — | 356 | 209 | — | — | 60 |
| San Jose, CA | — | 356 | 209 | — | 61 | 60 |
| Seattle, WA | — | 356 | 209 | — | — | 47 |
| St. Louis, MO | — | 356 | 209 | — | 47 | — |
| St. Paul, MN | — | 356 | 209 | — | 31 | 70 |
| Tampa, FL | — | 356 | 209 | — | 41 | 83 |
| Tucson, AZ | 34 | 356 | 209 | — | — | 26 |
| Washington, DC | — | 356 | 209 | — | — | 38 |
Data effective as of post date.
How to get MS NOW
MS NOW is available through many cable and satellite providers, including DIRECTV, DISH, Spectrum, and Xfinity. Good news for you cord-cutters out there: DIRECTV’s streaming plans, YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, and Sling TV also carry the live channel. But be sure to check the package lineup before signing up, as smaller plans and genre packs don’t always include every news channel.
If you’d rather skip a full TV bundle, MS NOW Membership gives you the network’s 24/7 live feed through its website and app. Members also get exclusive programs and live conversations with anchors and reporters.
Live TV packages with local networks, news, entertainment, and premium add-ons.
- Satellite and streaming TV options
- National and regional sports channels
- Unlimited cloud DVR on streaming plans
Live TV from 100+ channels with strong sports coverage and unlimited DVR.
- 100+ live channels on the main plan
- Unlimited cloud DVR
- Multiple household accounts
Flexible live TV packages with customizable sports, news, and entertainment options.
- Orange, Blue, and add-on options
- Sports Extra and premium add-ons
- 50 hours of cloud DVR included
Live TV and on-demand favorites bundled together in one plan.
- 95+ live TV channels
- Disney+ and ESPN Select access
- Unlimited cloud DVR
Data effective as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
What’s on MS NOW?
MS NOW mixes live U.S. news coverage with political commentary from a liberal-leaning viewpoint. “Morning Joe” gets the weekdays rolling, while Nicolle Wallace’s “Deadline: White House” takes over later in the day. Ari Melber then digs into legal and political stories on “The Beat with Ari Melber.”
Evenings move from the panel on “The Weeknight” to “All In with Chris Hayes.” Rachel Maddow hosts “The Rachel Maddow Show” on Mondays, with “The Briefing with Jen Psaki” in that hour Tuesday through Friday. “The Last Word with Lawrence O’Donnell” and “The 11th Hour with Ali Velshi” close out the night, though breaking news can always shuffle up what’s airing.
MS NOW channel FAQ
Is MS NOW the same as MSNBC?
Yes, MSNBC became MS NOW in November 2025. It's the same live news channel under a new name, but Versant now owns it and NBC News operates separately.
How can I stream MS NOW for free?
You may be able to watch MS NOW for free during a limited trial with an eligible live TV service, like DIRECTV or YouTube TV. Trial offers and lengths change, so check the terms before signing up. Ongoing access requires a qualifying TV plan or MS NOW Membership.
Can I watch MS NOW on Peacock?
No, Peacock doesn't carry the live MS NOW channel, and new episodes of its shows no longer arrive there after they air.
What channel is MS NOW on DIRECTV and DISH?
MS NOW is on DIRECTV channel 356 and DISH channel 209, provided your package includes it. Cable channel numbers vary by location.
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