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NBC News

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NBC News
NameNBC News
Founded21 February 1940
Headquarters30 Rockefeller Plaza, New York City
Key peopleCesar Conde (Chairman, NBCUniversal News Group), Rebecca Blumenstein (President, Editorial)
ParentNBCUniversal (Comcast)
Websitenbcnews.com

NBC News is the news division of the NBC television network, forming a core part of the NBCUniversal News Group under parent company Comcast. Established in the early days of broadcast journalism, it has grown into a major multimedia news organization producing content for NBC's television broadcasts, its cable news channel MSNBC, and a robust digital platform. The division is renowned for its long-running flagship programs, influential political coverage, and a roster of iconic journalists who have shaped American broadcast news for decades.

History

The division was formally launched on February 21, 1940, with the broadcast of The NBC News Digest on the NBC Red Network. Its early development was significantly shaped by the onset of World War II, with journalists like Lowell Thomas providing critical wartime reporting. The launch of the weekday program The Today Show in 1952, created by Sylvester "Pat" Weaver, revolutionized morning television and established a durable franchise. Under the leadership of figures such as Reuven Frank, the division expanded its evening news presence, with the Huntley-Brinkley Report becoming a defining broadcast of the 1960s, famed for its coverage of events like the John F. Kennedy assassination and the Civil Rights Movement. Subsequent decades saw the launch of NBC Nightly News and the establishment of MSNBC in a joint venture with Microsoft, alongside the acquisition of the weather channel The Weather Channel.

Programming

The division's programming spans multiple dayparts and platforms. Its morning schedule is anchored by The Today Show, broadcast from Studio 1A in Rockefeller Center, which mixes news, interviews, and lifestyle segments. The flagship evening newscast, NBC Nightly News, provides a summary of the day's top national and international stories. Sunday mornings feature the long-running political interview program Meet the Press, the oldest television program in American history. On the cable news front, MSNBC offers continuous news and opinion programming, while CNBC focuses on financial and business news. The division also produces primetime newsmagazines like Dateline NBC, known for its in-depth investigative reports and true crime coverage.

Notable personalities

Throughout its history, NBC News has been home to many of broadcast journalism's most prominent figures. Legendary anchors include Chet Huntley and David Brinkley, whose partnership defined an era, and later icons like Tom Brokaw, who anchored NBC Nightly News for over two decades. Jane Pauley and Bryant Gumbel became household names on The Today Show, while Tim Russert earned widespread respect for his incisive moderation of Meet the Press. Contemporary leading journalists include NBC Nightly News anchor Lester Holt, The Today Show co-anchors Hoda Kotb and Savannah Guthrie, and chief foreign affairs correspondent Andrea Mitchell. Political analysts like Chuck Todd and Rachel Maddow of MSNBC are also central to the network's modern identity.

Operations and divisions

NBC News operates as the central newsgathering arm for the NBCUniversal News Group, which also encompasses MSNBC, CNBC, and NBC News Now, its streaming news service. Major production and broadcasting facilities are located at 30 Rockefeller Plaza in New York City and at NBCUniversal headquarters in Universal City. The division maintains a vast network of domestic bureaus in cities like Washington, D.C., Chicago, and Los Angeles, and international bureaus in major global capitals including London, Beijing, and Jerusalem. Its digital arm, NBCNews.com, and associated mobile apps and podcasts, form a critical component of its 24/7 news operation.

Ratings and viewership

Historically, NBC News programs have frequently led their competitive time slots. The Today Show dominated morning ratings for years in a fierce battle with ABC's Good Morning America. NBC Nightly News has often vied for first place in the evening news race against broadcasts from CBS and ABC. Meet the Press consistently competes with Face the Nation and This Week for leadership in Sunday morning political talk. In the cable news landscape, MSNBC regularly contends with Fox News and CNN for primetime viewership, particularly among key demographic groups. The division's digital platforms also command a significant online audience.

Controversies and criticism

The division has faced several notable controversies over its history. In the early 1990s, its Dateline NBC program was embroiled in a scandal over a staged explosion in a report on General Motors trucks, leading to lawsuits and a public apology. The tenure of anchor Brian Williams ended in suspension and his eventual removal from NBC Nightly News after he was found to have repeatedly embellished his experiences in news stories. The division's handling of allegations against former The Today Show host Matt Lauer, who was fired for sexual misconduct, drew scrutiny regarding the workplace culture. Its news channel MSNBC is frequently criticized, alongside rivals like Fox News, for perceived partisan bias in its political commentary and analysis.

Category:American television news divisions Category:NBC Category:Mass media companies based in New York City