MSNBC may be considering domain name change

MSNBC, part of the news division for NBC Universal, may be considering changing its domain name from MSNBC.com.

According to a memo obtained by the New York Times, MSNBC management is debating whether the cable news network and its website should have different names. Some are arguing the television channel's coverage is seen as having a liberal slant, while the website is objective.

MSNBC.com was launched 14 years ago as a joint venture between Microsoft, which owned the MSN portal, and NBC Universal, which owns NBC News.

One possibility for a new name may be NBCNews.com, but management may want to avoid equating the site with NBC's national newscast. Network news generally appeals to older viewers and the NBC name may not play with younger web users.

Of course there is also the fierce competition MSNBC has with CNN and Fox News. The three are the leaders in cable news programming. Changing the MSNBC's domain name could benefit the competition, which may use any confusion over a new name to their benefit.