(Reuters) -Cable news network MSNBC will change its name and drop the iconic peacock logo as parent Comcast presses ahead with the planned separation of many NBCUniversal cable networks later this year.

MSNBC will change its name later this year and drop the storied peacock image from its branding — the first real public-facing changes in Versant's upcoming separation from Comcast's NBCUniversal.

MSNBC will rebrand as MS Now later this year as Comcast separates the network from NBC News, marking a push for independence and a new corporate identity.