The video engine as you are calling it exists on your computer not the MSNBC web site. The difference is your link (….episodes#) is coded using Flash commands rather than HTML 5. No matter what language or video format is used they are all dependent on interpreters installed on your computer for display. Flash is unique in its dependence on a proprietary plugin for its execution whereas HTML 5, CSS, javascript, and MP5 are based on international standards and built into the various browsers and operating systems.
The basic Look & Feel of a site is more a function of how it is designed and coded than the coding language used but there are differences in each language's capabilities. It appears the normal homepage is coded in HTML 5 which is in almost every way superior to Flash, does not require any proprietary plugins on your computer, and plays nice on the iOS devices that lead today's dominant market.
I suspect MSNBC has elected not to take the …episodes# branch down because it supports users with browsers too old to have HTML 5 support. It may remain up until the traffic count gets too low to justify the cost of keeping it live.
