History of NBC News in Timeline
NBC News is the news division of the American television network NBC. It is a subsidiary of NBCUniversal, which is owned by Comcast. The division is led by Rebecca Blumenstein and encompasses various channels and platforms, including MSNBC, CNBC, CNBC World, Noticias Telemundo, and Sky News. They provide a wide range of news coverage, including general news, business, consumer affairs, and international news.
February 21, 1940: First Regularly Scheduled News Program
On February 21, 1940, NBC News made history by airing the first regularly scheduled news program in the history of American broadcast television.
June 1940: First Televised Coverage of Republican National Convention
In June 1940, NBC broadcasted over 30 hours of live coverage of the Republican National Convention from Philadelphia. This marked a pioneering moment in television history, as it involved relaying the broadcast from Philadelphia to New York and then to upper New York State for rebroadcast, making it one of the earliest instances of network programming on NBC Television.
1944: Limited Coverage of 1944 Conventions
Due to limitations imposed by World War II and technological constraints, the 1944 conventions lacked live television coverage. However, filmed recordings of the events were reportedly shown on WNBT the following day, highlighting the challenges and innovations in early television broadcasting.
1948: NBC and Life Magazine's Election Night Coverage and Camel Newsreel Theatre Debut
In 1948, NBC partnered with Life magazine to deliver election night coverage, capturing President Harry S. Truman's unexpected victory over New York Governor Thomas E. Dewey. While viewership was limited, NBC secured a considerable audience share in New York, underscoring the growing influence of television. The same year, NBC introduced "Camel Newsreel Theatre," a program that later evolved into "Camel News Caravan," reflecting the network's commitment to news programming.
1948: NBC and Life Magazine's Election Night Coverage
In a groundbreaking move in 1948, NBC collaborated with Life magazine to provide comprehensive coverage of the presidential election night. This collaboration captured President Harry S. Truman's surprise victory over New York Governor Thomas E. Dewey. Although the television audience was limited at the time, NBC commanded a significant share in New York, demonstrating the medium's burgeoning impact.
1949: John Cameron Swayze Joins Camel News Caravan
With the addition of John Cameron Swayze as the on-camera anchor in 1949, "Camel Newsreel Theatre" underwent a transformation, becoming "Camel News Caravan." This marked a significant step in the evolution of television news, as Swayze's presence brought a new dimension to news delivery.
1950: David Brinkley as Washington Correspondent
David Brinkley joined NBC News as their Washington correspondent in 1950. While he initially remained relatively unknown outside the network, his partnership with Chet Huntley in 1956 would significantly elevate his prominence and influence in television news.
1951: Bill McAndrew Becomes Director of News
In 1951, Bill McAndrew assumed the role of Director of News at NBC News, reporting to J. Davidson Taylor, the Vice President of News and Public Affairs. McAndrew's appointment signaled a period of growth and transformation for NBC News as it navigated the evolving landscape of television journalism.
1951: William R. McAndrew Manages NBC News
In 1951, William R. McAndrew started managing NBC News, laying the groundwork for his later role as president.
1953: CBS Invests in Film Crews for News Program
In a significant development in 1953, CBS, NBC's competitor, made a strategic decision to invest in its own film crews for its news program. This move aimed to enhance the visual storytelling capabilities of their broadcasts and provide viewers with more comprehensive and engaging news coverage.
1955: Camel News Caravan Trails Behind CBS's Program
In 1955, NBC's "Camel News Caravan," anchored by John Cameron Swayze, experienced a setback as it fell behind CBS's competing program, "Douglas Edwards with the News." This shift in viewership led to a decline in Swayze's standing among NBC executives and set the stage for significant changes in the network's news programming.
1955: NBC News Leads Coverage of the Civil Rights Movement
In 1955, under the leadership of J. Davidson Taylor and Reuven Frank, NBC News took a firm stance in covering the burgeoning civil rights movement. They provided national coverage of Martin Luther King Jr.'s prominent role in the Montgomery bus boycott in Montgomery, Alabama. Notably, Frank McGee, then News Director of NBC's Montgomery affiliate WSFA-TV, delivered impactful reports, later joining the network. This commitment to covering the movement showcased NBC News' dedication to social justice reporting.
October 29, 1956: The Huntley-Brinkley Report Debuts
"The Huntley-Brinkley Report," a pioneering news program created by producer Reuven Frank, premiered on NBC on October 29, 1956. This marked the beginning of a highly successful run for the program, which consistently outperformed its CBS competitor in terms of viewership for a significant portion of its 14-year tenure. Initially, the competing CBS program was anchored by Douglas Edwards, followed by Walter Cronkite from April 1962 onwards.
1956: Chet Huntley and David Brinkley Team Up, Solidifying NBC's News Dominance
In 1956, NBC News solidified its position as a leader in television news by pairing Chet Huntley and David Brinkley as anchors. This dynamic duo, supported by a talented team of reporters, including John Chancellor, Frank McGee, Edwin Newman, Sander Vanocur, Nancy Dickerson, Tom Pettit, and Ray Scherer, cemented NBC's reputation for delivering high-quality news coverage.
1956: Debut of the Huntley-Brinkley Report
The year 1956 witnessed the debut of "The Huntley-Brinkley Report" on NBC. Anchored by the formidable duo of Chet Huntley and David Brinkley, the program quickly gained traction, surpassing the viewership of its CBS rival, which was initially anchored by Douglas Edwards. This marked a turning point in television news, as Huntley and Brinkley became household names and set a new standard for news presentation.
April 1962: Walter Cronkite Takes Over CBS News Program
April 1962 marked a significant shift in the television news landscape as Walter Cronkite took over as anchor of the CBS News program. This change in leadership brought a new dimension to the competition between NBC and CBS for viewers' attention in the realm of evening news broadcasts.
November 22, 1963: NBC News Interrupts Programming for JFK Assassination Coverage
On November 22, 1963, NBC News interrupted its regularly scheduled programming at 1:45 p.m. to deliver the devastating news of President John F. Kennedy's assassination in Dallas, Texas. This breaking news bulletin marked the beginning of extensive coverage, with the network providing 71 hours of uninterrupted news, including the live broadcast of Lee Harvey Oswald's fatal shooting by Jack Ruby.
1965: William R. McAndrew Named President of NBC News
In 1965, William R. McAndrew was named President of NBC News, a position he held until 1968.
1965: Richard Valeriani Attacked While Covering Civil Rights Demonstration
In a stark illustration of the dangers journalists faced while covering the civil rights movement, NBC News correspondent Richard Valeriani was subjected to a violent attack in 1965. While covering a demonstration in Marion, Alabama, Valeriani was struck with an ax handle, highlighting the risks associated with reporting on such contentious issues during that era.
1968: Bill McAndrew Passes, Reuven Frank Takes the Helm
Following Bill McAndrew's passing in 1968, Executive Vice President and esteemed Producer Reuven Frank assumed leadership of NBC News. This transition marked a significant shift in the network's news division, with Frank at the helm until 1973.
1968: Reuven Frank Becomes President of NBC News
In 1968, Reuven Frank was appointed President of NBC News, a role he held until 1973 and then again from 1981 to 1985.
1969: NBC Wins Emmy for Moon Landing Coverage
NBC's comprehensive coverage of the historic first Moon landing in 1969 earned the network a prestigious Emmy Award, recognizing their exceptional reporting and technical achievements in broadcasting this momentous event to a global audience.
August 3, 1970: NBC's Primary News Show Renamed NBC Nightly News
On August 3, 1970, NBC's flagship news program adopted its current title, "NBC Nightly News." This change, marking a significant moment in the program's history, coincided with a period of transition and adaptation for the network's news division.
1973: Reuven Frank Concludes Tenure as Head of NBC News
In 1973, Reuven Frank concluded his tenure as the head of NBC News, marking the end of an era for the network's news division. Frank's departure paved the way for new leadership and direction as NBC News continued to evolve within the ever-changing landscape of television journalism.
1973: Richard Wald Named President of NBC News
In 1973, Richard Wald took on the role of President of NBC News, serving until 1977.
1974: Chet Huntley Dies After Battling Cancer
Four years after his retirement from NBC News, Chet Huntley passed away in 1974 following a battle with cancer. His death marked a significant loss for NBC News and the broader world of television journalism, as Huntley was widely respected for his contributions to the field.
1975: Launch of NBC News & Information Service
In 1975, NBC launched the NBC News & Information Service (NIS), an all-news radio format that was heard across radio stations in the U.S. The service, however, was not profitable and was discontinued in 1977.
1977: Lester Crystal Becomes President of NBC News
In 1977, Lester Crystal was named President of NBC News, a role he held until 1979.
1977: Closure of NBC News & Information Service
In 1977, NBC discontinued the NBC News & Information Service (NIS) due to its lack of profitability, ending the two-year experiment in all-news radio.
1979: William J. Small Named President of NBC News
In 1979, William J. Small took on the role of President of NBC News, serving until 1981.
1981: Reuven Frank's Second Term as President of NBC News
In 1981, Reuven Frank began his second term as President of NBC News, serving until 1985.
1982: Launch of NBC News Overnight
In 1982, NBC News began producing NBC News Overnight with anchors Linda Ellerbee, Lloyd Dobyns, and Bill Schechner. The show aired at 1:35 a.m. following The Tonight Show and Late Night with David Letterman.
December 1983: Cancellation of NBC News Overnight
In December 1983, NBC News Overnight was cancelled. The network later launched NBC Nightside in 1991 as another overnight news show.
1983: Tom Brokaw Becomes Sole Anchor
Tom Brokaw became the sole anchor of NBC Nightly News in 1983 after a year of co-anchoring with Roger Mudd.
1985: Lawrence Grossman Named President of NBC News
In 1985, Lawrence Grossman was appointed President of NBC News, holding the position until 1988.
1985: NBC begins using "The Mission" by John Williams
In 1985, NBC started using parts of "The Mission" by John Williams as theme music for various programs, including "Meet the Press" and "NBC Nightly News."
1986: NBC Nightly News Briefly Tops Ratings
After years of trailing CBS in the ratings, NBC Nightly News, led by Tom Brokaw, achieved the top spot in the Nielsen ratings in 1986.
1987: NBC Nightly News Maintains Ratings Lead
NBC Nightly News, anchored by Tom Brokaw, held onto its first-place ranking in the Nielsen ratings for a second year in 1987.
1987: Sale of NBC Radio Network to Westwood One
In 1987, NBC's original major radio network was sold to Westwood One as General Electric, which had acquired NBC's parent company RCA, divested most properties not related to the NBC television network.
1988: Michael Gartner Becomes President of NBC News
In 1988, Michael Gartner was appointed President of NBC News, a position he held until 1993.
1989: Brokaw Witnesses Fall of Berlin Wall
In 1989, NBC News correspondent Tom Brokaw was the only American television news correspondent to witness the fall of the Berlin Wall, providing exclusive coverage of this historic event.
1991: Launch of NBC Nightside
In 1991, NBC launched NBC Nightside, an overnight news show featuring various anchors and based at WCNC-TV in Charlotte, North Carolina. The show aimed to provide 24/7 news coverage for NBC affiliates.
1993: Andrew Lack Named President of NBC News
In 1993, Andrew Lack became President of NBC News, serving until 2001.
1993: Dateline NBC Airs Rigged Report
In 1993, Dateline NBC aired a segment about the safety of General Motors trucks, which was later found to have been misleading. The report showed a truck exploding, but the explosion had been staged using incendiary devices. NBC apologized and settled a lawsuit with GM.
1996: NBC Nightly News Regains Ratings Lead
NBC Nightly News once again secured the top position in the Nielsen ratings in late 1996 and maintained that position for much of the following years.
1997: Closure of Canal de Noticias, NBC
In 1997, NBC closed Canal de Noticias, a 24-hour news service aimed at Latin American viewers. The network later purchased Telemundo five years after the closure.
1998: Introduction of NBC All Night
In 1998, NBC Nightside was replaced by NBC All Night, a programming block featuring reruns of popular NBC shows.
1999: CNN Radio Replaces NBC Radio and Mutual
In 1999, CNN Radio replaced both NBC Radio and Mutual, integrating their operations into its own news service.
2000: Seven Network in Australia drops "Seven Nightly News" branding
Around 2000, the Australian network, Seven Network, stopped using the name "Seven Nightly News" for its local news broadcasts.
2001: Neal Shapiro Becomes President of NBC News
In 2001, Neal Shapiro was named President of NBC News, holding the position until 2005.
2003: Brian Williams Covers Iraq War
Brian Williams covered the 2003 invasion of Iraq for NBC News, an experience he later misrepresented, leading to his suspension in 2015.
December 2004: Brian Williams Succeeds Brokaw
Brian Williams took over as the primary anchor of NBC Nightly News after Tom Brokaw retired in December 2004.
2004: NBC updates "The Mission" theme
NBC updated "The Mission" theme composed by John Williams in 2004.
2004: "NBC Nightly News" and "Today" begin airing on ETC in the Philippines
In 2004, "NBC Nightly News" and "Today" began airing on the Philippine network ETC.
2005: "NBC Nightly News" and "Today" move to 2nd Avenue in the Philippines
Both "NBC Nightly News" and "Today" moved to the Philippine network 2nd Avenue in 2005.
2005: Steve Capus Named President of NBC News
In 2005, Steve Capus was appointed President of NBC News, a role he held until March 5, 2013.
January 1, 2007: Launch of Poker After Dark
On January 1, 2007, NBC Nightside was replaced by 'NBC All Night,' which included reruns of The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and Late Night with Conan O'Brien, as well as Poker After Dark.
October 22, 2007: NBC News Launches High-Definition Studio
On October 22, 2007, NBC Nightly News began broadcasting from its new high-definition studios at 30 Rockefeller Plaza in New York City, where MSNBC also relocated.
2007: "NBC Nightly News" and "Today" end run on 2nd Avenue in the Philippines
"NBC Nightly News" and "Today" stopped airing on 2nd Avenue in the Philippines in 2007.
2007: NBC News Impacted by Financial Crisis
During the 2007-2008 financial crisis, NBC News faced pressure from NBC Universal to cut costs, leading to the layoff of several reporters, the largest in the news division's history.
June 2008: Tim Russert Dies, Tom Brokaw Steps In
Following the sudden death of Meet the Press moderator Tim Russert in June 2008, Tom Brokaw took over as interim host until a permanent replacement could be found.
December 14, 2008: David Gregory Named Meet the Press Moderator
David Gregory became the new moderator of Meet the Press on December 14, 2008, following the death of Tim Russert. He hosted the show until August 2014.
2008: "NBC Nightly News" moves to C/S 9 in the Philippines
"NBC Nightly News" moved to the Philippine network C/S 9 in 2008.
2008: NBC News Impacted by Financial Crisis
The 2007-2008 financial crisis continued to affect NBC News, resulting in layoffs and cost-cutting measures.
2009: NBC News Leads Network News Ratings
By 2009, NBC had established itself as the leading network in television news, boasting the highest-rated morning, evening, and Sunday interview programs.
September 23, 2011: End of Poker After Dark
On September 23, 2011, NBC ended Poker After Dark, which had been part of the 'NBC All Night' programming block since 2007.
2011: "NBC Nightly News" and "Today" end run on respective networks in the Philippines
2011 marked the end of "NBC Nightly News" on C/S 9 and "Today" on 2nd Avenue in the Philippines.
March 5, 2012: Dial Global Expands NBC News Radio
On March 5, 2012, Dial Global announced plans to expand NBC News Radio into a full-time 24-hour news network, replacing CNN Radio.
March 27, 2012: NBC News Airs Edited 911 Call
NBC News aired an edited 911 call from George Zimmerman, the man who fatally shot Trayvon Martin. The editing made it seem like Zimmerman volunteered that Martin was black, suggesting racial bias. NBC later apologized for the misleading edit.
December 13, 2012: NBC News Crew Kidnapped in Syria
NBC News reporter Richard Engel and his five crew members were kidnapped in Syria on December 13, 2012. They escaped after five days. Engel initially claimed they were captured by a group loyal to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad but later revised his account.
December 2012: ITV cancels morning newscast, ending "NBC Nightly News" segments
In December 2012, the UK's ITV network canceled its morning newscast, "ITV News at 5:30," which featured segments from "NBC Nightly News."
March 5, 2013: Steve Capus Steps Down as President of NBC News
On March 5, 2013, Steve Capus stepped down as President of NBC News, marking the end of his tenure that began in 2005.
August 2013: Deborah Turness Becomes President of NBC News
In August 2013, Deborah Turness assumed the role of President of NBC News, becoming the first woman to head the division.
December 2013: Early Today dropped from 9TV in the Philippines
In December 2013, the Philippine network 9TV removed "Early Today" from its lineup, replacing it with reruns of "Inside Edition."
2013: "Today" replaces "Scherzo for Today" theme
In 2013, "Today" replaced its theme music, "Scherzo for Today," with a new composition by Alan Gubman.
2013: Dial Global Rebrands as Westwood One
In 2013, Dial Global rebranded itself as Westwood One, continuing its legacy of providing news and information services.
2013: John Lapinski Named Director of Elections
John Lapinski was appointed as the Director of Elections for NBC News in 2013.
August 10, 2014: David Gregory's Final Meet the Press Broadcast
David Gregory's last broadcast as the host of Meet the Press aired on August 10, 2014.
August 14, 2014: Chuck Todd Announced as Meet the Press Moderator
NBC announced Chuck Todd as the new moderator of Meet the Press on August 14, 2014, replacing David Gregory.
September 7, 2014: Chuck Todd Debuts on Meet the Press
Chuck Todd's first show as the moderator of Meet the Press aired on September 7, 2014.
September 2014: "Today" dropped from 9TV in the Philippines
In September 2014, 9TV in the Philippines dropped "Today" from its schedule to prioritize weekend children's programming.
December 14, 2014: Discontinuation of Original NBC News Radio Service
On December 14, 2014, the original NBC News Radio service was discontinued, coinciding with the launch of Westwood One News service.
2014: Allegations Against Matt Lauer Surface
Allegations of sexual harassment against Matt Lauer surfaced in 2017. The allegations stemmed from Lauer's behavior during the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, and continued afterward.
February 2015: Brian Williams Suspended
NBC News suspended Brian Williams, the anchor of Nightly News, for six months for making a false claim about his experience covering the 2003 invasion of Iraq.
March 2015: "NBC Nightly News" dropped from 9TV in the Philippines
March 2015 saw the removal of "NBC Nightly News" from 9TV in the Philippines, coinciding with Brian Williams' departure and the network's rebranding as CNN Philippines.
April 2015: NBC News Revises Account of Kidnapping
NBC News had to revise its account of the 2012 kidnapping of reporter Richard Engel and his crew in Syria. Investigations suggested they were likely captured by a criminal group linked to the Free Syrian Army, not a pro-government group as initially reported.
June 18, 2015: Lester Holt Named Permanent Anchor of Nightly News
On June 18, 2015, Lester Holt was announced as the permanent anchor of NBC Nightly News, replacing Brian Williams, who had been suspended for misrepresenting his experiences during the Iraq War. Williams moved to MSNBC.
2015: Election Team Gets Dedicated Space
In 2015, NBC News' election decision desk team was provided a dedicated workspace at 30 Rockefeller Plaza.
July 2016: Launch of NBC News Radio on iHeartRadio
In July 2016, NBC News Radio was launched on iHeartRadio, providing 24/7 news coverage in 15-minute cycles and marking NBC's re-entry into the all-news radio format.
November 2016: NBCUniversal Announces Stake in Euronews
In November 2016, NBC News Group chairman Andy Lack announced NBCUniversal's intention to purchase a 25% stake in Euronews, a European news organization. This strategic move aimed to bolster NBC's international reporting capabilities.
February 2017: Noah Oppenheim Named President of NBC News
In February 2017, Today Show Producer and Executive Noah Oppenheim was named President of NBC News.
May 2017: Completion of NBCUniversal's Stake Purchase in Euronews
At the end of May 2017, NBCUniversal completed the purchase of a 25% stake in Euronews. Deborah Turness, former President of NBC News, was appointed to lead NBC News International.
November 29, 2017: Matt Lauer Fired From NBC News
Matt Lauer was fired from NBC News on November 29, 2017, after an employee accused him of sexual harassment. The allegations covered incidents that allegedly took place during the 2014 Winter Olympics and after.
2017: Ronna McDaniel Becomes RNC Chairwoman
Ronna McDaniel assumed the role of chairwoman of the Republican National Committee (RNC) in 2017, a position she held until 2024.
April 2018: NBC News Wins Pulitzer Prize for Weinstein Reporting
The New Yorker magazine published an exposé on Harvey Weinstein's alleged sexual misconduct in April 2018, after NBC News, where the reporting originated, decided not to run the story. The New Yorker's reporting, conducted by Ronan Farrow, won a Pulitzer Prize.
2019: Discontinuation of Westwood One News Service
In 2019, Westwood One discontinued its news service, which had been using content from WarnerMedia's CNN.
April 2020: NBCUniversal Sells Stake in Euronews
In April 2020, NBCUniversal sold its stake in Euronews to concentrate resources on launching NBC Sky World News later that year.
August 2020: Cancellation of NBC Sky World News
In August 2020, NBCUniversal decided to cancel the launch of NBC Sky World News, resulting in layoffs of 60 employees.
November 2020: "NBC Nightly News" and "Today" return to Philippine airwaves
After a five-year absence, "NBC Nightly News" and "Today" returned to the Philippines in November 2020 as part of the launch programming for TAP TV.
2020: McDaniel Promotes Election Misinformation
Following Joe Biden's victory in the 2020 presidential election, Ronna McDaniel, then chairwoman of the RNC, made false claims about widespread voter fraud and sought to overturn the election results.
2020: McDaniel's Claims on 2020 Election
In 2020, after joining NBC, McDaniel reversed her previous claims and acknowledged that Joe Biden won the 2020 election 'fair and square.' She also condemned political violence and expressed that she could now be more herself compared to her time as RNC chair.
October 2021: "NBC Nightly News" returns to TAP TV
In October 2021, "NBC Nightly News" returned to TAP TV after being moved to its sister network, TAP Edge, earlier that year.
2021: Launch of The Overview on Peacock
In 2021, the Stay Tuned team launched The Overview on Peacock, expanding NBC News' digital programming offerings.
January 10, 2023: Rebecca Blumenstein Named President of NBC News
On January 10, 2023, Rebecca Blumenstein was appointed as President of NBC News, continuing the leadership lineage.
December 2023: NBC News Now removed from Sky and Virgin Media platforms in the UK
As of December 2023, NBC News Now is no longer available as a linear channel on Sky and Virgin Media platforms in the UK.
March 2024: Ronna McDaniel Joins NBC News
NBC News hired Ronna McDaniel, the former chairwoman of the Republican National Committee, in March 2024. The move sparked controversy due to McDaniel's ties to Donald Trump and her promotion of false claims about the 2020 election.