Report: Brian Williams to stay at NBC, but won't return to Nightly News

On Thursday, NBC will announce that Brian Williams will not be returning to his position as anchor of the Nightly News, The New York Times reports.

Two people briefed on the matter told the Times that Williams, who was suspended four months ago without pay after embellishing his role in a 2003 helicopter incident in Iraq, will move to a new role primarily at the cable network MSNBC. Lester Holt, who has been filling in as anchor of Nightly News, will step into the anchor chair permanently, one of the sources said.

As anchor of Nightly News, Williams brought in almost 10 million viewers a broadcast and was recognized as one of the most trusted people in the United States, according to surveys conducted by the Marketing Arm research firm. In February, he ranked 23rd, alongside Warren Buffett and Robin Roberts; in May, his popularity had plummeted, and he was listed at 3,352, near Eminem and Hugh Hefner.

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up