Brian Williams leaves MSNBC’s The 11th Hour latest – NBC host announces exit after career rocked by 2015 ‘lying’ scandal
BRIAN Williams has confirmed he is leaving MSNBC's The 11th Hour and NBC years after his longtime career was rocked by the 2015 "lying" scandal.
Williams confirmed he was looking forward to one chapter ending "and the beginning of another" in a statement on Tuesday evening.
Williams has anchored The 11th Hour for the past 5 years and was key in the launch of the MSNBC news channel in 1996 and became a well-known figure as part of NBC Nightly News.
Williams was suspended from Nightly in 2015 and replaced by Lester Holt after it was reported that he exaggerated some stories.
He reportedly claimed that while reporting in Iraq in 2003 the Chinook helicopter was fired at and needed to undergo an emergency landing, according to - however, soldiers onboard disputed Williams' claims.
"I think the constant viewing of the video showing us inspecting the impact area—and the fog of memory over 12 years—made me conflate the two, and I apologize,” Williams said at the time. He was able to rebuild his career after the scandal.
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WILL THE 11TH HOUR BE CANCELLED?
Williams anchored The 11th Hour, for the past five years, but assured his audience that the show would keep going even after his departure.
For the first time in decades Williams is about to be free to work wherever he would like.
In a statement, the journalist said: “This is the end of a chapter and the beginning of another.
"There are many things I want to do, and I'll pop up again somewhere."
He also expressed gratitude to NBC, saying the network "is a part of me and always will be."
BRIAN WILLIAMS PRAISED AS A MENTOR
Journalists who have worked with the journalist have been sharing their experiences with Williams after he announced his exit from NBC after 28 years.
WHAT WILL BRIAN WILLIAMS DO NEXT?
Williams contract is not up for another month, but taking much deserved time off is in sight for the news star.
Although MSNBC had a substantial offer for Williams to continue taking a break from a nightly live broadcast was better aligned with his plans.
Williams said that he is looking forward to spending quality time with his family with newly open schedule and does not have any new media jobs on the horizon.
He currently does not have his eyes on any new media positions yet.
FANS HONOR BRAIAN WILIAMS
Fans of the iconic newsman continue sharing their praise on Twitter after Williams announced his exit from MSNBC on Tuesday.
WILLIAMS 'WAS OFFERED A NEW CONTRACT'
A source close to Williams claims that the anchorman was offered a new contract by NBC however it’s unclear why he declined it.
Reportedly Williams, now a free agent for the first time in nearly 30 years, will be taking the chance to spend including his wife Jane and two children.
“I will reflect on the kindness people have shown me, and I will pay it forward,” he said.
REBUILT CAREER AFTER SCANDAL
Williams was key in the launch of the MSNBC news channel in 1996 and became a well-known figure as part of NBC Nightly News.
After it was reported that Williams exaggerated some stories, Williams was suspended from Nightly in 2015 and replaced by Lester Holt.
However, Williams was able to rebuild his career after the scandal and earn the trust of his viewers once again.
THE BEGINNING OF ANOTHER CHAPTER
“This is the end of a chapter and the beginning of another,” said Wiliams in a statement. “There are many things I want to do, and I’ll pop up again somewhere.”
Williams thanked his audience for their “loyal” viewing of the show and says the program will “remain in good hands.”
He was key in the launch of the MSNBC news channel in 1996 and became a well-known figure as part of NBC Nightly News.
WHAT IS BRIAN WILLIAMS KNOWN FOR?
During his time on the NBC Nightly News he became one of America's most well-known newsmen. NBC Night News is one of the most watched news programs in the US.
In his statement Williams describes his time at NBC, "28 years, 38 countries, 8 Olympic games, 7 Presidential elections, half a dozen Presidents, a few wars, and one SNL."
COLLEAGUE HONORS WILLIAMS AFTER ANCHOR ANNOUNCES MSBC EXIT
MSNBC'S PRESIDENT STATEMENT ON WILLIAMS' DEPARTURE
In a statement MSNBC President Rashida Jones had words to say about the iconic journalist.
"Brian’s time at NBC has been marked by breaking countless major stories, attracting leading journalists and guests to his programs, and most especially, great resiliency. He has built a fiercely loyal following for ‘The 11th Hour’ and we and our viewers will miss his penetrating questions and thoughtful commentary.”
TWO STARS LEAVING
William's exit means that MSNBC will have not one, but two high-profile news stars to replace in the coming year.
Rachel Maddow is expected to depart her daily program in 2022 but will remain under contract with NBC News.
WHY IS BRIAN WILLIAMS LEAVING NBC?
In a statement, the journalist said: “This is the end of a chapter and the beginning of another.
"There are many things I want to do, and I'll pop up again somewhere."
He also expressed gratitude to NBC, saying the network "is a part of me and always will be."
MSNBC INTERNAL MEMO
CNN's Brian Stelter shared the memo MSNBC sent employees to announce Brian Williams' exit from the network.
The memo said: "After nearly 3 decades as an award-winning journalist and anchor at MSNBC and NBC News, Brian Williams has informed us he would like to take the coming months to spend time with his family. He will be signing off from The 11th Hour at the end of the year.
BRIAN WILLIAMS' NETWORTH
The journalist has a net worth reported to be $40million.
His current salary with MSNBC is reported to be $6million per year, according to
WHO IS JANE STODDARD WILLIAMS?
Stoddard Williams is the wife of MSNBC anchor Brian Williams, and is a journalist and broadcaster in her own right.
The pair have been married since 1986.
Stoddard Williams is the daughter of Hudson Gillan Stoddard and Patricia Stoddard.
She began her journalism career at Panorama as a freelance producer.
Stoddard Williams attended Duke University, where she obtained a bachelor's degree in political science.
Williams is currently the host and executive producer of the weekly radio show Bloomberg EDU.
WHERE IS BRIAN WILLIAMS GOING NEXT?
It's unclear where the legendary news anchor will work next, but, according to , he will first take some down time.
Williams said: "For the next few months, I'll be with my family, the people I love most and the people who enabled my career to happen.
"I will reflect on the kindness people have shown me, and I will pay it forward."
WHO ARE BRIAN WILLIAM'S CHILDREN?
In 1986, Williams married TV producer Jane Stoddard Williams.
The couple has a son and a daughter together.
Their daughter, Allison Williams, starred on the HBO comedy Girls and in the film Get Out.
Their son, Doug Williams, is the late-night anchor of Geico SportsNite, which airs on the regional New York metropolitan area channel SportsNet New York.
2015 SUSPENSION FROM NBC
In 2015, NBC suspended Williams for six months without pay over his false story about coming under rocket fire in a US military helicopter in Iraq.
At the time, NBC president Deborah Turness said that on January 30, 2015, broadcast Williams misrepresented his helicopter ride while covering the Iraq war in 2003.
Williams falsely claimed he came under rocket fire during the ride.
The network's investigation showed that Williams had repeated the incorrect account in other venues.
WHAT SHOWS HAS BRIAN WILLIAMS ANCHORED?
Under NBC, Williams anchored four different news programs in the 27 years with the company.
From 1993-1999, he was the weekend anchor for NBC Nightly News.
He anchored MSNBC The News with Brian Williams from 1996-2004.
From 2004-2015, he was the news anchor for NBC Weekly News, and from 2011-2013 he was the host of Rock Center with Brian Williams.
'END OF AN ERA'
The media world quickly reacted to news that Brian Williams will be leaving his post on NBC.