Embattled MSNBC will keep its name after Comcast spinoff

Left-leaning cable channel MSNBC will get to keep its name after it is spun off by Comcast, the company said.Mark Lazarus, who will lead the new company consisting of MSNBC and other cable assets, told MSNBC staffers of the plan after he broke the news that MSNBC president Rashida Jones is leaving the company.There was concern that being hived off from the NBC mothership would force a change in branding, as The Post reported.“I know there was some discussion with the MSNBC name, so you can take that off of your worry list on things,” Lazarus said at Tuesday’s meeting.“The only thing I’ll say is the worst thing any leader can do is change something that’s working just because they can.So, if this is working, then there’s no reason to change it.”Comcast announced in November that it plans to spin off its NBCUniversal cable TV networks including MSNBC and CNBC in 2025, sending staffers at the left-leaning network into a panic over their future.At the time, Lazarus didn’t have many answers for staffers, who wondered if the network would remain in its 30 Rock headquarters and how it would manage without the shared reporting from sister network NBC News, which Comcast will retain.On Tuesday, Lazarus tried to steady the ship, despite news of Jones’ departure.He named Rebecca Kutler as Jones replacement on an interim basis and said she will be hiring a head of newsgathering and head of talent.Sources told The Post that MSNBC talent and staffers expressed saddness over Jones’ decision to leave, which has been punctuated by steep ratings declines following the presidential election of Donald Trump....