It’s official: Brian Williams to MSNBC
June 18, 2015

Brian Williams will return as a news anchor, but he won’t be doing it on NBC.
The network made official today the news that broke late yesterday: The former “Nightly News” anchor will be moving to MSNBC once he has finished serving his six-month suspension for exaggerating his experiences while covering news stories around the world.
Williams will be replaced at “NBC Nightly News” by Lester Holt, who has filled in capably in Williams’ absence since February.
According to multiple reports, an internal investigation at NBC found at least 11 times when Williams exaggerated, often while making appearances on talk or late-night programs.
There’s been speculation for weeks over whether NBC News would keep Williams on. Apparently one sticking point was the apology: The network wanted one, and Williams was reportedly reluctant to give another, after making an on-air mea culpa four months ago when Stars & Stripes first broke news of his exaggerations.
But Thursday’s announcement of Williams’ new role came with a lengthy apology.
His statement reads: “I’m sorry. I said things that weren’t true. I let down my NBC colleagues and our viewers, and I’m determined to earn back their trust. I will greatly miss working with the team on Nightly News, but I know the broadcast will be in excellent hands with Lester Holt as anchor. I will support him 100% as he has always supported me. I am grateful for the chance to return to covering the news. My new role will allow me to focus on important issues and events in our country and around the world, and I look forward to it.”
Williams will retain a small role on NBC. He will lead breaking news reports on the network when Holt, the first African-American news anchor on a Big Three network, is not available.
In an appearance that’s sure to draw strong ratings, Williams will be interviewed by Matt Lauer Friday morning on “Today” and again on “Nightly News.”
Williams’ new role will start in August, when his suspension is over.
Tags: Brian Williams, brian williams suspended, Lester Holt, msnbc, nbc, nightly news
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