David Gregory confirmed Thursday that he is stepping down as host of NBC’s venerable Sunday morning show “Meet the Press, capping off months of speculation about the fate of the show in the wake of diminished ratings.
In an internal memo, NBC News President Deborah Turness said NBC News political director Chuck Todd would take over the program, giving up his daily MSNBC program, “The Daily Rundown,†to do so, as well as his position as the chief White House correspondent for NBC News.
Todd will start September 7, and NBC News veteran Andrea Mitchell will host the program this coming Sunday. Gregory will leave the network, Turness said.
“His unique ability to deliver that passion with razor sharp analysis and infectious enthusiasm makes him the perfect next generation moderator of this beloved broadcast,†Turness said in the memo. “Chuck will ensure that Meet the Press is the beating heart of politics, the place where newsmakers come to make news, where the agenda is set. We have some exciting plans to evolve and update the broadcast under Chuck’s leadership that we will be sharing with you shortly.â€
Mitchell is poised to take a greater role in the program, Turness said, “along with some new names†to be announced shortly.
On Twitter, Gregory said, “I leave NBC as I came – humbled and grateful. I love journalism and serving as moderator of MTP was the highest honor there is.â€
Gregory took over the show in 2008 following the death of Tim Russert. Ratings for the Washington, D.C.-based mainstay have slipped on his watch, prompting speculation that he was destined to be replaced.
