Tom Brokaw Will Fill In for Russert on ‘Meet the Press’
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Veteran news anchor Tom Brokaw will moderate NBC’s “Meet the Press” through the November election in the place of the late Tim Russert, the network announced today.
Mr. Brokaw is scheduled to start on June 29. He had filled in on the program for the Sunday following Russert’s death of a heart attack on June 13.
The NBC News President, Steve Capus, said the show will continue to be produced in Washington.
“To have someone of Tom’s stature step up and dedicate himself to ensuring its ongoing success is not only a testament to his loyalty to Tim, but his enduring commitment to NBC News and our viewers,” Mr. Capus said.
Nothing was immediately said about who would anchor the broadcast after the election or whether Mr. Brokaw, 68, would be interested in continuing beyond that. He wouldn’t be the oldest man on the Sunday morning beat — CBS’s “Face the Nation” host, Bob Schieffer, is 71.
For now, the move provides NBC with a measure of stability during a key time. “Meet the Press” had dominated the Sunday morning ratings under Russert, making NBC a reported $60 million a year. An anchor with Mr. Brokaw’s stature could help prevent viewers from defecting to the second-place George Stephanopoulos on ABC, for example.
Mr. Brokaw has remained active since stepping down as “Nightly News” host after the 2004 election. He has made documentaries and served as a commentator during some of MSNBC’s primary night coverage this election season.
He was a good friend of Russert’s and said he talked to him almost daily. Mr. Brokaw was the first speaker at Russert’s memorial service in Washington.
Mr. Brokaw said he feels right at home on “Meet the Press.”
“Tim made ‘Meet the Press’ the center of the universe for informative and lively discussions of public affairs, particularly the exciting 2008 campaign for president, and I intend to continue that commitment to our viewers,” he said.
David Gregory, Andrea Mitchell, and Chris Matthews had been talked about as potential candidates for the full-time job as moderator. If Mr. Brokaw weren’t interested in continuing, his tenure would allow NBC more time to study a potential selection and have that person debut during a less intense news period.
