Jones helped MSNBC surpass CNN in ratings, though viewership has dropped since the election.

MSNBC will retain its name after it is spun off from Comcast along with other cable assets. Mark Lazarus, who is leading the new company, told network staffers of the plans at a meeting today to announce the departure of Rashida Jones as the networks president and the naming of Rebecca Kutler as interim leader,

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.