Editing MSNBC (section)

===1996–2007===
[[File:OldMSNBCLogo.svg|thumb|right|upright|MSNBC's logo used from 1996 until 2009. The "N" in the logo was changed from red to black in 2002. This variant has occasionally been used after 2006 as an alternative logo in a horizontal form.]]
{{Main|History of MSNBC: 1996–2007}}

MSNBC was launched on July 15, 1996. The first show was anchored by [[Jodi Applegate]] and included news, interviews, and [[opinion piece|commentary]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Williams |first=Brian |author-link=Brian Williams |date=July 15, 2021 |title=Mine was the second voice ever heard on MSNBC. 25 years later, our future is limitless. |publisher=MSNBC |url=https://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/mine-was-second-voice-ever-heard-msnbc-25-years-later-n1273771 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210715115029/https://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/mine-was-second-voice-ever-heard-msnbc-25-years-later-n1273771 |archive-date=July 15, 2021}}</ref> During the day, rolling news coverage continued with ''The Contributors'', a show that featured [[Ann Coulter]] and [[Laura Ingraham]], as well as interactive programming coordinated by Applegate, [[John Gibson (media host)|John Gibson]], and [[John Seigenthaler Jr.|John Seigenthaler]]. Stories were generally longer and more detailed than the stories [[CNN]] was running. NBC also highlighted their broadcast connections by airing stories directly from NBC's network affiliates, along with breaking news coverage from the same sources.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Collins |first=Scott |url=https://archive.org/details/crazylikefoxinsi00coll |title=Crazy Like A Fox: The Inside Story of How Fox News Beat CNN |publisher=[[Portfolio (publisher)|Portfolio]] |year=2004 |isbn=978-1-59184-029-9 |oclc=53887528 |url-access=registration |via=[[Internet Archive]]}}</ref>

MSNBC gradually increased its emphasis on politics.<ref>{{cite news | last=Moss | first=Linda | title=MSNBC Shifts Shows | publisher=Cable World | date=July 2, 2001}}</ref> After completing its seven-year survey of cable channels, the [[Project for Excellence in Journalism]] said in 2007 that "MSNBC is moving to make politics a brand, with a large dose of opinion and personality."<ref name="project">{{Citation |last1=Kennedy |first1=Courtney |title=ASSESSING THE RISKS TO ONLINE POLLS FROM BOGUS RESPONDENTS |date=March 19, 2008 |chapter-url=http://stateofthemedia.org/2007/cable-tv-intro/public-attitude |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220922005018/https://www.pewresearch.org/2008/03/19/public-attitudes-toward-the-war-in-iraq-20032008/ |chapter=Public Attitudes Toward the War in Iraq: 2003-2008 |publisher=[[Pew Research Center]] [[Project for Excellence in Journalism]] |archive-date=September 22, 2022 |last2=Hatley |first2=Nick |last3=Lau |first3=Arnold |last4=Mercer |first4=Andrew |last5=Keeter |first5=Scott |last6=Ferno |first6=Joshua |last7=Asare-Marfo |first7=Dorene}}</ref>

In January 2001, [[Mike Barnicle]]'s MSNBC show started, but it was canceled in June 2001 because of high production costs.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Starr |first=Michael |date=June 26, 2001 |title=Starr Report - MSNBC scrapes off Barnicle |language=en-US |work=[[New York Post]] |url=https://nypost.com/2001/06/26/starr-report-23/ |access-date=September 26, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210920150032/https://nypost.com/2001/06/26/starr-report-23/ |archive-date=September 20, 2021}}</ref> In June, Microsoft chief executive officer [[Steve Ballmer]] said that he would not have started MSNBC had he foreseen the difficulty of attracting viewers.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Olsen |first=Stefanie |date=June 7, 2001 |title=Ballmer: Would not launch MSNBC again |publisher=[[CNET]] |url=http://news.cnet.com/2100-1023-268073.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130116202743/http://news.cnet.com/2100-1023-268073.html |archive-date=January 16, 2013}}</ref>

After the [[September 11, 2001, attacks]], NBC used MSNBC as an outlet for the up-to-the-minute coverage being provided by NBC News as a supplement to the longer stories on broadcast NBC. With little financial news to cover, [[CNBC]] and [[CNBC Europe]] ran MSNBC for many hours each day following the attacks. The year also boosted the profile of [[Ashleigh Banfield]], who was present during the collapse of [[7 World Trade Center#Original building (1987–2001)|Building 7]] while covering the World Trade Center on September 11.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Gough |first=Paul J. |date=September 11, 2006 |title=Five years later, memories of a trying task |work=[[Today (American TV program)|Today]] |url=http://www.today.com/popculture/five-years-later-memories-trying-task-wbna14783031 |url-status=live |access-date=April 26, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170427102111/http://www.today.com/popculture/five-years-later-memories-trying-task-wbna14783031 |archive-date=April 27, 2017}}</ref> Her ''Region in Conflict'' program capitalized on her newfound celebrity and showcased exclusive interviews from [[Afghanistan]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=CNN Profiles – Ashleigh Banfield – Host, HLN's Primetime Justice with Ashleigh Banfield |url=http://www.cnn.com/profiles/ashleigh-banfield-profile#about |url-status=deviated |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170425135715/http://www.cnn.com/profiles/ashleigh-banfield-profile#about |archive-date=April 25, 2017 |access-date=April 26, 2017 |publisher=[[CNN]]}}</ref>

In the aftermath of September 11, MSNBC began calling itself "America's NewsChannel" and hired opinionated hosts like [[Alan Keyes]], [[Phil Donahue]], [[Pat Buchanan]], and [[Tucker Carlson]].<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Dana |first=Rebecca |date=March 25, 2013 |title=Slyer Than Fox |url=https://newrepublic.com/article/112733/roger-ailes-msnbc-how-phil-griffin-created-lefts-fox-news |url-status=live |magazine=[[The New Republic]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190428125305/https://newrepublic.com/article/112733/roger-ailes-msnbc-how-phil-griffin-created-lefts-fox-news |archive-date=April 28, 2019 |access-date=April 21, 2017}}</ref> This branding makeover, however, was followed by declining ratings.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Stempel III |first1=Guido H. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GHACCwAAQBAJ&pg=PA283 |title=The 21st-Century Voter: Who Votes, How They Vote, and Why They Vote [2 volumes] |last2=Hargrove |first2=Thomas K. |date=December 14, 2015 |publisher=[[ABC-CLIO]] |isbn=9781610692281 |access-date=April 26, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200105180935/https://books.google.com/books?id=GHACCwAAQBAJ&pg=PA283 |archive-date=January 5, 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref>

On December 23, 2005, NBCUniversal announced its acquisition of an additional 32 percent share of MSNBC from Microsoft,<ref>{{cite news | url=https://variety.com/2005/digital/markets-festivals/peacock-plucks-msnbc-1117935156/ | title=Peacock plucks MSNBC | last=Learmonth | first=Michael | date=December 23, 2005 | work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] | access-date=April 26, 2017 | archive-date=April 27, 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170427101835/http://variety.com/2005/digital/markets-festivals/peacock-plucks-msnbc-1117935156/ | url-status=live }}</ref> which solidified its control over television operations and allowed NBC to further consolidate MSNBC's backroom operations with NBC News and its other cable properties. (The news website msnbc.com remained a separate joint venture between Microsoft and NBC for another seven years.) NBC later exercised its option to purchase Microsoft's remaining 18 percent interest in MSNBC.

In late 2005, MSNBC began attracting liberal and progressive viewers as [[Keith Olbermann]] began critiquing and satirizing [[conservatism in the United States|conservative]] media commentators during his ''[[Countdown With Keith Olbermann]]'' program. He especially focused his attention on the [[Fox News Channel]] and [[Bill O'Reilly (political commentator)|Bill O'Reilly]], its principal primetime commentator.

On June 7, 2006, [[Rick Kaplan]] resigned as president of MSNBC after holding the post for two years.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Stelter |first1=Brian |author-link1=Brian Stelter |date=June 7, 2006 |title=Rick Kaplan Exits: Effective Immediately, President Of MSNBC Steps Down |work=[[TVNewser]] |url=http://www.mediabistro.com/tvnewser/rick-kaplan-exits-effective-immediately-president-of-msnbc-steps-down_b9986 |url-status=dead |access-date=January 23, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110110035451/http://www.mediabistro.com/tvnewser/rick-kaplan-exits-effective-immediately-president-of-msnbc-steps-down_b9986 |archive-date=January 10, 2011}}</ref> Five days later, [[Dan Abrams]], a nine-year veteran of MSNBC and NBC News, was named general manager of MSNBC with immediate effect. NBC News senior vice president Phil Griffin would oversee MSNBC while continuing to oversee NBC News' ''[[Today (American TV program)|Today]]'' program, with Abrams reporting to Griffin.

On June 29, 2006, Abrams announced the revamp of MSNBC's early-primetime and primetime schedule. On July 10, ''[[Tucker (television program)|Tucker]]'' (formerly ''The Situation with Tucker Carlson'') started airing at 4 p.m. and 6&nbsp;pm. ET (taking over Abrams' old timeslot), while [[Rita Cosby]]'s ''Live & Direct'' was canceled. Cosby was made the primary anchor for ''MSNBC Investigates'' at 10 and 11&nbsp;pm. ET, a new program that took over Cosby and Carlson's timeslots. According to the press release, ''MSNBC Investigates'' promised to "complement MSNBC's existing programming by building on [the channel's] library of award-winning documentaries."<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 29, 2006 |title=MSNBC Announcement |url=http://nbcumv.com/release_detail.nbc/msnbc-20060629000000-msnbcannouncesprim.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080317181458/http://blogs.kansascity.com/tvbarn/2006/06/tucker_carlson_.html |archive-date=March 17, 2008 |access-date=January 23, 2008}}</ref> The move to taped programming during 10 and 11 p.m. probably resulted from MSNBC's successful Friday "experiment" of replacing all primetime programming with taped specials.

On September 24, 2007, Abrams announced that he was leaving his general manager position so he could focus on his 9:00&nbsp;pm. ET talk show, ''Live With Dan Abrams''. Oversight of MSNBC was shifted to Phil Griffin, a senior vice president at NBC.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Kurtz |first=Howard |author-link=Howard Kurtz |date=September 25, 2007 |title=MSNBC's Abrams Quits His Day Job |page=C03 |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/09/24/AR2007092401490.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080911082716/https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/09/24/AR2007092401490.html |archive-date=September 11, 2008}}</ref>

[[File:111907l.jpg|thumb|right|MSNBC's studio in NYC]]
[[File:111907g.jpg|thumb|right|The MSNBC studio]]

MSNBC and NBC News began broadcasting from their new studios at NBC's 30 Rockefeller Plaza complex in New York City on October 22, 2007.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ariens |first=Chris |date=October 11, 2007 |title=NBC News to Begin Broadcasting from New World Headquarters |work=[[TVNewser]] |url=http://www.mediabistro.com/tvnewser/nbc-news-to-begin-broadcasting-from-new-world-headquarters-oct-22_b16529 |url-status=dead |access-date=January 23, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101126142500/http://www.mediabistro.com/tvnewser/nbc-news-to-begin-broadcasting-from-new-world-headquarters-oct-22_b16529 |archive-date=November 26, 2010}}</ref> The extensive renovations of the associated studios allowed NBC to merge its entire news operation into one building. All MSNBC broadcasts and ''[[NBC Nightly News]]'' originate from the new studios. More than 12.5 hours of live television across the NBC News family originate from the New York studios daily. MSNBC also announced new studios near the [[Universal Studios, Inc.|Universal Studios]] lot.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.multichannel.com/news/msnbc-move-new-york-city-studio-366532|title=MSNBC to Move to New York City Studio|last=Moss|first=Linda|date=October 11, 2007|work=[[Multichannel News]]|access-date=January 6, 2020|archive-date=January 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210114000433/https://www.nexttv.com/news/msnbc-move-new-york-city-studio-366532|url-status=live}}</ref> MSNBC's master control did not make the move to 30 Rock. It remained in the old Secaucus headquarters until it completed its move to the NBC Universal Network Origination Center located inside the CNBC Global Headquarters building in [[Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey]], on December 21, 2007. Shortly thereafter, [[Major League Baseball]] firmed up a long-term lease of the former MSNBC building to become the home studios of [[MLB Network]], which launched from the facility on January 1, 2009.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newscaststudio.com/2008/10/20/mlb-network-taking-over-former-msnbc-hq/|title=MLB Network taking over former MSNBC HQ|last=Hill|first=Michael P.|date=October 20, 2008|work=Newscast Studio|access-date=January 6, 2020|archive-date=January 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210114000451/https://www.newscaststudio.com/2008/10/20/mlb-network-taking-over-former-msnbc-hq/|url-status=live}}</ref>