MSNBC is part of Comcast’s spinoff of many of its cable networks into a new entity, Versant, expected to be completed later this year. As part of the spinoff, MSNBC is being renamed MS NOW.

On Oct. 6, NBC News staffers who have accepted roles at MSNBC will be official full-time employees of the latter network, appearing solely on the cable network and no longer reporting to the broadcast network, Scott Matthews, senior VP of newsgathering, said in an internal editorial call on Wednesday. Except for DC operations, MSNBC will no longer rely on NBC News correspondents and crews for coverage. MSNBC has been building up its own newsroom in anticipation of the split. That is also the date when MSNBC will start relying on its own standards guidance.

When Will the MSNBC-NBC Split Happen?

On Oct. 20, MSNBC will no longer rely on NBC News correspondents or crews for Washington, D.C. coverage as well, Matthews said.

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“So that is the date that, in theory, we are totally on our own with all reporters and field crews, all live shots, et cetera, are all controlled by us,” Matthews said. “We will, of course, have our friends in the background in case there’s some technical issues. But we think of that date as the day we are fully operational on our own, both domestically, internationally and through DC.”

Among the figures joining MSNBC full time from NBC News are Jacob Soboroff, senior national and political correspondent; Vaughn Hillyard, senior White House correspondent; Ken Dilanian, justice correspondent; and Antonia Hylton, correspondent and co-host of The Weekend: Primetime. The network also is recruiting for 50 roles, including newsgathering, digital, audio and specials.

Among the figures who chose to stay at NBC News was Steve Kornacki, the data and polling guru who has been a fixture on election coverage, as well as a number of other correspondents. Versant will continue to have access to the NBC News Decision Desk through the end of the year.

MSNBC staffers divided over new name but 'cautiously optimistic' about liberal network's post-NBC future

NBC News also has recently hired Christina Wilkie to serve as senior editor at the network’s business and economy unit. She was previously at CNBC Digital for eight years, most recently as senior editor of the politics and economy desk.