History of NBC Nightly News in Timeline
NBC Nightly News is the flagship evening television news program of NBC News, debuting on August 3, 1970. It is currently the second most-watched network newscast in the U.S., after ABC's World News Tonight. The program originates from Studio 1A in New York City, with occasional broadcasts from Los Angeles or Washington, D.C.
1961: NBC Saturday Night Report Premieres
In 1961, NBC introduced its first Saturday evening newscast, the NBC Saturday Night Report, anchored by Sander Vanocur.
1967: The Frank McGee Report Replaces Scherer-MacNeil Report
In 1967, the network replaced The Scherer-MacNeil Report with a second weekend airing of The Frank McGee Report on Saturdays.
January 4, 1969: Huntley-Brinkley Report Expanded to Saturdays
On January 4, 1969, The Huntley-Brinkley Report was expanded to Saturday evenings, with the main anchors working solo on alternating weeks.
August 2, 1970: NBC Expanded Evening Newscast to Sundays
On August 2, 1970, NBC expanded its evening newscast to Sundays, which also replaced the Sunday broadcast of The Frank McGee Report.
August 3, 1970: First Aired
August 1971: Separate Anchors Named for Weekend Editions
In August 1971, when Chancellor became the sole anchor for weeknight editions, separate anchors were assigned to the weekend editions of the show.
June 7, 1976: Brinkley Returns to Anchor Desk
On June 7, 1976, NBC brought David Brinkley back to the anchor desk, attempting a dual-anchor approach with John Chancellor once again.
April 2, 1982: Chancellor Steps Down as Anchor
On April 2, 1982, John Chancellor stepped down from the anchor desk but remained on the program as an editorial commentator until his retirement in 1993.
April 5, 1982: Brokaw Joins Nightly News
On April 5, 1982, Tom Brokaw joined NBC Nightly News and took over co-anchor duties in New York City.
September 5, 1983: Brokaw Becomes Solo Anchor
On September 5, 1983, Tom Brokaw became the solo anchor of Nightly News.
1983: Bill Hanrahan Retired
In 1983, Bill Hanrahan, the announcer for the newscast, retired.
September 2001: Anthrax Letter Addressed to Tom Brokaw
In September 2001, a letter containing anthrax was addressed to then NBC Nightly News anchor Tom Brokaw as part of the 2001 anthrax attacks. Brokaw was unharmed, but two NBC News employees were infected.
December 4, 2006: Limited Commercial Interruption
On December 4, 2006, Nightly News was presented with "limited commercial interruptions" through a sponsorship arrangement with Philips.
April 18, 2007: NBC News Received Virginia Tech Gunman's Package
On April 18, 2007, NBC News received a "multimedia manifesto" from Seung-Hui Cho, the gunman responsible for the Virginia Tech shooting. The April 18, 2007 edition of NBC Nightly News showed edited content of the package, with Brian Williams and Pete Williams examining it.
May 4, 2007: Studio 3C Retired
On May 4, 2007, the Nightly News set in Studio 3C, which had been in use since January 27, 1992, was retired.
May 8, 2007: Broadcast Relocated to Studio 8G
On May 8, 2007, the broadcast temporarily relocated to Studio 8G.
September 17, 2007: Discontinuation of Montage
On September 17, 2007, the opening montage was discontinued except for weekends and nights with substitute anchors until October 2007.
October 2007: End of Montage Discontinuation
In October 2007, the opening montage discontinuation ended
October 22, 2007: Studio 3C Re-opened
On October 22, 2007, Studio 3C was re-opened with the introduction of a new set for Nightly News.
December 14, 2007: Howard Reig's Recordings Discontinued
On December 14, 2007, the recordings of Howard Reig were discontinued on the program.
December 17, 2007: Michael Douglas Introduced as Announcer
On December 17, 2007, Academy Award winning actor/producer Michael Douglas was introduced as the announcer for the weeknight broadcast.
August 25, 2008: ABC World News Tonight Broadcast in HD
On August 25, 2008, ABC World News Tonight began broadcasting in HD, during its coverage of the 2008 Democratic National Convention.
October 24, 2011: Broadcast Moved to Studio 3B
On October 24, 2011, the broadcast moved to Studio 3B, which also served as the homebase of Williams' short-lived newsmagazine for NBC, Rock Center.
November 29, 2011: Fire Alarm During Nightly News Broadcast
On November 29, 2011, a fire alarm went off in the studio a few seconds into the Nightly News Eastern Time Zone broadcast. Brian Williams continued to anchor throughout the entire broadcast.
2012: New Intro Introduced
From 2012, the intro was different pictures of the earth which formed into the NBC News' filming station in New York.
February 4, 2015: Williams Apologizes for Iraq War Story
On February 4, 2015, Brian Williams apologized on the program for having “conflated” on numerous occasions an account that he had been aboard a Chinook helicopter shot down by enemy fire from a rocket-propelled grenade while covering the Invasion of Iraq in 2003.
February 7, 2015: Williams Takes Time Off
On February 7, 2015, Brian Williams announced he would take himself "off the daily broadcast for the next several days," with Lester Holt substituting for him.
February 10, 2015: Williams Suspended Without Pay
On February 10, 2015, Brian Williams was suspended without pay for six months due to the scandal which arose after he came under fire for fabricating a story about his reporting on the Iraq War and Hurricane Katrina.
March 16, 2015: 9TV Rebranded to CNN Philippines
On March 16, 2015, 9TV eventually re-branded to CNN Philippines.
June 18, 2015: Holt Named Main Anchor
On June 18, 2015, Andrew Lack announced that Lester Holt would become the main anchor of NBC Nightly News on a permanent basis.
June 22, 2015: Holt Officially Becomes Main Anchor
On June 22, 2015, Lester Holt officially became the main anchor of NBC Nightly News.
2016: Intro Concluded
Through 2016, the intro was different pictures of the earth which formed into the NBC News' filming station in New York.
April 2020: NBC News Began Producing NBC Nightly News: Kids Edition
In April 2020, NBC News began producing a version of NBC Nightly News targeted at children ages 6 to 16, featuring stories aimed at children. This edition is hosted by Lester Holt (soon Tom Llamas) and new episodes premiere every Thursday on NBC News' YouTube channel.
October 26, 2021: NBC Nightly News Moved to TAP TV
On October 26, 2021, broadcasts of NBC Nightly News were moved to sister channel TAP TV in the Philippines.
May 19, 2025: Promotional Campaign for Llamas Begins
On May 19, 2025, NBC began its promotional campaign for Tom Llamas as the new anchor.
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