Brian Williams will re-enter the headquarters of NBC News as an anchor for cable channel MSNBC on Sept. 22.
Williams will handle MSNBC’s live coverage of Pope Francis’ visit to the U.S.
The date was confirmed by an NBC News spokesperson Thursday.
Williams will not have his own program when he returns, although it’s understood he’ll be available at an anchor desk at MSNBC’s New York studio to go on the air from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern time. While other changes to the MSNBC daytime schedule are being planned, including a daily program with NBC News political director Chuck Todd, not all of them are expected to be in place by the time Williams returns.
Williams was last seen reading the news on Feb. 8 when he was still anchor on “NBC Nightly News.” Embroiled in a controversy over false statements he made about his reporting during the 2003 U.S. invasion of Iraq, he was suspended Feb. 11.
After an internal investigation of his work, Williams was removed from the “Nightly News” job and replaced by Lester Holt, who became the permanent anchor for the broadcast June 21.
NBC News and MSNBC chairman Andy Lack offered the new role to Williams as a chance for redemption and an opportunity to boost the cable channel’s dismal ratings during daytime hours.
Williams has been with NBC News since 1993. He replaced Tom Brokaw as anchor of “NBC Nightly News” in December 2005.
Stephen Battaglio,
Los Angeles Times
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