NewsNation, the cable channel owned by Nexstar Media Group, has implemented a significant change by rebranding its daytime news segments under the unified banner of "News Nation Live." This shift, which also included renaming certain shows, took effect on November 24, 2025. Previously, the network utilized this title for its three-hour morning block, anchored by Marni Hughes, starting at 9 a.m. Eastern time.
Following this, from noon to 3 p.m., the branding transitioned to "NewsNation Now," with Nicole Berlie anchoring the first three hours, followed by Connell McShane at 3 p.m. The likely aim of this strategy is to establish a consistent brand identity for the network's daytime news coverage, although Nexstar has not officially confirmed this.
Prior to this, the "Live" designation was applied to programming before noon Eastern time, with "Now" taking over in the afternoon. However, this distinction was primarily relevant to the East Coast, as the network broadcasts live across all time zones, meaning that the switch to "Now"-branded programming occurred in the late morning in other regions. By consolidating these blocks under the same name, the network eliminates branding discrepancies between rolling news coverage blocks that are essentially identical in format from a viewer's perspective.
As part of these updates, the TV listings and graphics that introduce Berlie and McShane's segments have been updated. Additionally, the network has introduced new variations of its theme music. Both the new compositions and the original theme are by Stephen Arnold Music, and the network continues to use portions of the original music, combined with new additions from SAM, introduced as new shows launched.
The change also allows the network to dedicate the "NewsNation Now" branding to its website domain. Since its launch, the network has used newsnationnow.com as its website address, reportedly due to an inability to secure the rights to simply newsnation.com. While it remains unclear if this factored into the decision to rebrand TV blocks, it does create a stronger distinction between the network’s linear and digital presence.
"Live" is a common term used in TV show titles, spanning from late-night entertainment to news programming. However, it doesn't always indicate that the programming is being produced live, as exemplified by ABC's "Jimmy Kimmel Live," which is typically pre-taped. In such cases, the "live" reference likely signifies that the show is produced in the style of "live to tape" (although some editing may still occur after production) and in front of a studio audience, who experience the show in real-time.
The cable network formerly known as MSNBC previously used the "Live" branding for its daytime news blocks under the name "MSNBC Live" before transitioning to "MSNBC Reports" in 2021, and, as part of an overall network rebranding, “MS NOW Reports” in November 2025. At the time, MSNBC noted that the name change was designed to emphasize the programming’s hard-news focus while. The naming schema also helped put focus on the network’s talent, with individual blocks titled as “(Anchor Name) Reports,” a practice that continues to this day. MSNBC Live returned as the name for the network’s series of in-person events earlier in 2025.