‘Connect’ moves into dedicated studio at MS NOW’s west coast facility

MS NOW’s weekend program “Connect with Jacob Soboroff” became the network’s first program to broadcast from Versant’s Los Angeles studio Sept. 12, 2026.

The show, which debuted back on June 13, 2026, had been using a temporary setup as the network put the finishing touches on Studio J.

“Connect is officially, today, the first show in the 30-year history of MS NOW to originate from a dedicated studio in Los Angeles, California,” said anchor Jacob Soboroff at the top of Saturday’s broadcast.

That milestone accounts for the network’s longtime run under the name MSNBC. 

In the past, MSNBC and MS NOW programs had originated from Los Angeles — as well as other locations across the country — but largely used various spaces within NBC News’ Los Angeles Bureau in Burbank, California, and later, Universal City, California. The studios were shared with other broadcasts or incorporated insert studio setups the network built to accommodate both live hits and full shows.

Thee new studio features multiple large LED video walls along with backlit panels featuring vertical slats of glass that, depending on the angle, diffuse varying amounts of the panel and structural supports behind them.

This screenshot, taken from the July 4, 2026, edition of ‘Connect’ shows the one-shot the show used for most episodes since it launched.

The show has retained the general look it has used since June, though the video wall graphics have been significantly expanded.

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The textured, sculptural wall image that serves as the primary backdrop behind Soboroff has been upgraded with more elements along with more use of a gold wash. 

There is now also the option for a topical OTS-style graphic to appear camera right behind Soboroff while the show logo has moved from the right side of the screen to the left.

There is also a new Los Angeles skyline graphic shown on an additional video wall as well as virtual set extensions of sorts on the outer reaches of the studio.

Prior to launching the new studio, the show had been using a largely locked-down camera shot with no in-studio guests.

The move to new studio means that Soboroff can now have guests in the studio with him, whereas the show had been relying on remote setups for guests. 

Guests join Soboroff at the large boat-shaped table he sits at to deliver other segments, with the background elements consisting of either one of the glass slatted walls or the VSE on the far camera right video wall.

This graphic is notable because it takes on what feels like a more modern spin on the show’s look — with crisp lines and smooth surfaces. The vertical slats found in both the hard scenic and stone wall background are repeated here as pinstripe-style lighted elements. 

Overall, the look largely leverages the VSE strategy of creating a space that feels like it could be real while also feeling a bit more fanciful than what might be practical to build. 

The virtual space is also blended with real diagonal scenic elements. 

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