3.8/5
Google Play rating
10,009 ratings
Report
Should I Use MS NOW?
MS NOW (formerly MSNBC): Breaking news and the latest headlines today. Get daily updates from local reporters plus world news with live audio and video.
Depends
DependsMS NOW is a TV news network with a new $7.99/month streaming membership — worth paying for only if you specifically want its hosts and live coverage.
Cable news, not software: $7.99/mo for what MSNBC gave cable subscribers. Super-fans only.
Confidence: Medium
$7.99/mo
Membership price
First direct-to-consumer tier
Yes
Free tier
Free app and website
1996
On air since
As MSNBC; rebranded Nov 2025
Value for money
2
Paywall backlash over formerly free content
Ease of use
3
3.8/5 store rating; device complaints
Feature depth
3
Live video, audio, local reporting; standard fare
Support quality
2
Terms flag cancellation issues; 2.2K complaints
Pros
- Live breaking news with audio and video, plus local reporters11
- First direct-to-consumer membership built for loyal 'super-fans'³
- Expanding investigative and local journalism via new partnerships
- Available across Hulu, SiriusXM, and streaming platforms
- Reported double-digit audience growth after the rebrand
Cons
- Now gated behind a subscription; viewers openly angry about it⁷
- Mediocre 3.8/5 Android rating across 10,009 reviews⁴
- 2.2K consumer complaints on PissedConsumer, mostly about access⁵
- Quality-of-reporting worries after splitting from NBC's journalism wing⁶
- Rebrand caused site migration failures and brand confusion
Gotchas
- medium$7.99/month membership auto-renews; Terms of Service specifically warns about cancellation problems⁸
- mediumContent previously free on cable or the website now sits behind the paywall⁷
- lowRoku and some smart-TV users report the channel missing from their devices
- lowOfficial FAQ says specific content, features, and pricing are not finalized — expect changes⁹
Best for
- Cord-cutting fans of MSNBC hosts
- Viewers wanting live progressive commentary
- News junkies wanting live audio/video
Not for
- Anyone shopping for a software tool — this is a TV news channel
- Casual headline readers — free news apps cover that
- Viewers wanting non-partisan coverage — Wikipedia describes it as liberal cable news
- Cord-cutters unwilling to pay for previously free access
Pricing
Free app/website
$0
- Breaking-news app and headlines
- Limited access; full streaming costs money
MS NOW Membership
$7.99/month
- Direct-to-consumer streaming, launched Sept 9, 2026
- Aimed at loyal 'super-fans'
Security
No known public vulnerabilities found in the sources reviewed.
What users say
Users like the hosts and coverage but increasingly complain about the new paywall; the Android app rates 3.8/5.
“Really pissed off that i now need a subscription to watch.”
“Tbh I'm happy with the new Ms N”
Alternatives
Compare MS NOW with each alternative.
AP News / Reuters apps
Free wire-service headlines without paywalls or opinion shows
Hulu
Already includes MS NOW with any plan — no separate membership
MS NOW vs HuluSiriusXM MS NOW Radio
Live audio channel if you already subscribe
Over-the-air antenna + local news
Free broadcast news if you just want headlines
Full analysis
Based on ~25 public sources: trade press (Variety, Hollywood Reporter, LA Times), app-store reviews, and user forums. Not a software product — reviewed as a consumer news subscription.
Sources
- MS NOW Reveals Membership Tier in Bet on Loyaltyhollywoodreporter.comnews
news
news
- MS NOW: Live & Breaking News — Google Play reviewsplay.google.comreview
- 2.2K MSNBC Reviews — PissedConsumermsnbc.pissedconsumer.comreview
review
review
- MS NOW Terms of Servicems.nowofficial
official
- MS NOW — Wikipediaen.wikipedia.orgnews
- Security pagemsnbc.comsecurity
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