Brian Williams is leaving MSNBC

[JoanofArgh]

Last edited Tue Nov 9, 2021, 10:07 PM - Edit history (1)

Link to tweet

?s=20

Link to tweet

?s=20



I think he probably got signed somewhere else but can't say yet.



“Following much reflection, and after 28 years with the company, I have decided to leave NBC upon the completion of my current contract in December,” Mr. Williams wrote in a statement on Tuesday. “I have been truly blessed. I have been allowed to spend almost half of my life with one company. NBC is a part of me and always will be.”

Mr. Williams revealed no immediate plans for a new on-air role. “This is the end of a chapter and the beginning of another,” he wrote. “There are many things I want to do, and I’ll pop up again somewhere.”

A person familiar with Mr. Williams’s decision-making who requested anonymity to share private conversations said the anchor would consider his options and hoped to return to television or another media platform soon.



Jeff Zucker, the president of CNN, has been seeking high-wattage talent for a new streaming service, CNN+, which is set to start in 2022. Mr. Zucker approached Ms. Maddow about a job before she decided to renew her deal at MSNBC, a discussion first reported by Puck News.

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/11/09/business/media/brian-williams-msnbc.html?campaign_id=60&emc=edit_na_20211109&instance_id=0&nl=breaking-news&ref=cta&regi_id=72416910&segment_id=73952&user_id=20a86bb77f8705e060212c90659bdb01

[Rhiannon12866]

1. That's too bad, he's had the opportunity to really speak out on his later hour show

He often signs off with a video from The Lincoln Project or The Daily Show...

[JoanofArgh]

3. He had a very dry sense of humor. I liked his show.

[lindysalsagal]

11. Agreed.

Irreplaceable.

[Rhiannon12866]

12. So did I, and it seemed like he enjoyed the opportunity to speak out

Which he didn't have as a prime time news anchor.

[hlthe2b]

14. I agree. I will definitely miss him.

CNN came close to successfully recruiting Rachel Maddow. Having failed, I'd BET they would go after Williarms--especially with Cuomo's unfortunate conflicts recently.

[Rhiannon12866]

19. You're right. MSNBC prime time is doing well in the ratings.

I generally don't watch CNN, but it appears that the only standouts they still have now, with Cuomo's current issues, are Don Lemon and Anderson Cooper.

[Haggard Celine]

2. Well that sucks!

He's my favorite one on the network. Love his humor!

[JoanofArgh]

5. Mine too.

[FakeNoose]

4. OK, I'm guessing he heard what Rachel's new contract is worth?

[JoanofArgh]

10. Rachel's not going to be on every night anymore , either. Curious who they'll

replace them with.

[Grasswire2]

6. nooooooooooooooooo

I find his manner and sign-off soothing.

Damn.

[shanti]

7. Oh no!

Sad to hear that, as I like his reporting style.

[TomSlick]

8. That's too bad.

I like his show, when I can stay up that late.

[oregonjen]

9. Did CNN get him?

[JoanofArgh]

13. I don't know. He said in the article he's not retiring. I hope so.

[hlthe2b]

15. I'd bet so. After they failed to get Rachel Maddow, it would be a "no-brainer" for them to

go after Williams--especially with the tarnish that Cuomo bears right now.

[JoanofArgh]

20. I bet you're right.

NYT article on Williams also mentioned this : Jeff Zucker, the president of CNN, has been seeking high-wattage talent for a new streaming service, CNN+, which is set to start in 2022. Mr. Zucker approached Ms. Maddow about a job before she decided to renew her deal at MSNBC, a discussion first reported by Puck News.



Hope he replaces Cuomo , though.

[nilram]

16. Hoping he'll guest host on SNL...

[vanlassie]

17. Now how are we gonna keep track of how many days into the

Presidency we are??? 🤷🏻?♀️

[Gidney N Cloyd]

18. He was a great anchor on election nights. Just the right mix of gravitas and humor.

[PortTack]

21. If he goes to cnn I can only imagine they will not allow him the same latitude.

On cnn he will become some watered down version..cnn is owned by right wing media.

Sad!

[JoanofArgh]

22. They allow Jim Acosta lots of latitude. Have you ever watched him?

Brian will be fine. MSNBC/NBC are owned by Comcast.

[Xolodno]

23. I think his demotion actually helped his career.

As an anchor, you are probably limited. Out of that spot, he could say and do more.

[liberalmediaaddict]

24. Damn

[C_U_L8R]

25. I like his wit

I hope his next network appreciates it even more.

[renate]

26. This makes me SO SAD

Crap. I love him. I hope he comes back really soon on whatever network he's going to.

[BannonsLiver]

27. Andrea Mitchell is the exception

Which is unfortunate. But TV news personalities aren’t typically as old as Williams is. I’m fairly certain Andrea is the oldest person on any of the cable nets, stubbornly holding on to the camera with every fiber in her being.

[A HERETIC I AM]

28. He's one day older than I am.

Ever since I found that out, I've enjoyed his broadcasts even more!

I hope he is successful wherever he ends up.

[electric_blue68]

29. Oh, drat. I, too, enjoy his wit

[LetMyPeopleVote]

30. Brian Williams, longtime anchor and @MSNBC host, to leave NBC after nearly 3 decades.

Link to tweet

[Rhiannon12866]

31. Here's the video for those who missed it:

A Message From Brian Williams
https://www.democraticunderground.com/1017692603

In tonight’s “Last thing before we go” we hear a message from Brian on his career at NBC.