Peter Alexander Exiting NBC News After 22 Years
What To Know
- Peter Alexander is leaving NBC News after 22 years, where he served as Saturday Today co-anchor and co-chief White House correspondent.
- He cited a desire for better work-life balance and more time with his family as the main reason for his departure.
- Reports suggest Alexander may have also been frustrated by being passed over for major anchor roles, and he is rumored to be considering a new position at MS NOW.
After 22 years at NBC News, Saturday Today co-anchor Peter Alexander is saying goodbye. Alexander announced his NBC News departure during today’s edition of the morning show.
“I do have a little bit of news to share,” he told viewers. “This morning I am bursting with pride and with gratitude. I’ve had the most incredible experience over 22 years with NBC News, from Baghdad to Banda Aceh, Burbank to Beijing, always alongside the best, the most professional, the most dedicated journalists in the business. I could not be more grateful for every one of them and for the leaders and mentors here who have believed in me and given me more opportunities than I ever dreamed of.”
Alexander got his first NBC News job in 2004 and joined Saturday Today in 2018, TODAY.com notes. In addition to his weekend duties in Studio 1A, he also serves as NBC’s co-chief White House correspondent.
“I’m grateful to you for welcoming into your homes for all these years, almost 14 of those years from the north lawn at the White House or maybe from around the world,” he said today. “It’s hard to believe, but I have been a part of the NBC family for longer than I have had my own family. Studio 1A being right here with this team with all the folks that you don’t get to see on TV. This is literally my happy place. It is so fun. I mean, what a gig.”
Alex Wong/Getty Images
But as Alexander explained, he wants a better balance between his work life and his home life in Washington D.C. with his wife, Alison Starling, and their daughters, Ava, 12, and Emma, 10.
“I’ve been away from my home more than 80 nights in the last 7 months. More than 220 Friday nights. Two hundred twenty Friday nights away from my family in the last seven years,” he explained. “So, in this limited window before my daughters lose interest in hanging out with me. It’s already happened quick. … As I was taught, family first, the rest is details.”
He concluded, “Thank you for your trust and your confidence. And most of all, thank you to NBC News. What for what have been undoubtedly the most exciting years of my life.”
There may be another reason for the shake-up: Page Six reports Alexander was tired of being passed over for prestigious anchoring jobs on NBC Nightly News and the weekday Today. And Variety speculates Alexander may be headed to the open anchor slot at the 11 a.m. weekday hour at MS NOW, formerly the NBC sibling channel MSNBC.
In any case, Saturday Today co-anchor Laura Jarrett is already feeling the loss. “Peter, we love you,” she said on today’s broadcast. “We are going to miss you. We have laughed so hard we want to cry with you. We have learned from you. … Here’s what I know: You are a brilliant journalist, you are a good and decent man, and you are an extraordinary father. You only get one shot to be Ava and Emma’s dad. Two hundred nights is a long time. They are lucky to have you as their father.”
Alexander also got high praise from Chloe Arensberg, NBC News’ Washington Bureau chief, and Matt Carluccio, executive producer of weekend broadcasts of Today.
“Peter has been a trusted presence with great range across NBC News, and a friend to so many across the Washington Bureau, Today, and the broader NBC News team,” Arensberg and Carluccio said in a memo to staffers on Saturday, per Variety. “We are grateful for all his contributions and wish him the best.”
Conversation14 Comments
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D
Congratulations, Mr Alexander. You decided to choose family over other venues. Money is essential but does not replace true, Christian, God-loving family. Children grow a lot faster than you know and at the end of the day, you want your family to know who you truly ar/were. News station and viewers will forget you but NOT your loved ones. When you get to be beyond 80 or so, you realize what you have lost by not enjoying your loved ones.
21
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N
You have been a joy to invite into my home every day. No words to express how much I will miss you. If one reported reason is that you have been passed over for promotions that is sad and NBC’S loss. I can’t see anyone more deserving than you. Thank you for the years you have shared. Good wishes and blessings on your next journey. No doubt your handsome face and professionalism will find success wherever you go. I’ll look for you as you pursue your new assignment.
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K
Peter- in the current ever changing world of journalism many opportunities await you. I hope you find one that allows you to soend 200 Friday nights at home with your family. With that said- NBC has lost one of their best. Your reporting always spot on, done with pointed questions, reporting only facts, high integrity, and most of all compassion and understanding when warranted.
Watched you for years- you are wished only the best.
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R
So glad to know you will be seen soon elsewhere..............hopefully MSNOW
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K
It is their loss, he is great at what he does and I’m sure the fact he was passed over more than once added to this. Will be looking for him on Ms Now. He will love it there.
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P
we will miss you Peter, always trusted your reports
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S
You will be missed at NBC. Congrats on your transition to more time with Family. Best of luck in you next Endeavirs.
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K
I ALWAYS THOUGHT PETER WOULD HAVE TAKEN BRIANS SPOT ON NBC NIGHTLY NEWS ONCE LESTER HOLT LEFT. HOW LLAMAS JUMPED OVER HIM IS CRAZY.
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M
Seriously??? You must be gay! No comparison! That's like comparing Gabe to Richard! Again, No comparison.
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N
I love and trust Peter Alexander. He always asks the most incisive and to the point questions. He is the best and smartest journalist in the room. I'm happy his family will have more time with him and I'm very excited to hear he might become a moderator at MS Now!
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D
Sorry to hear this. I don’t blame him for wanting to be closer to home! NBC’s loss.
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L
Peter, I wish you the best. You'll do a wonderful job no matter where you go. I'll be watching you on MS NOW. Good luck!
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M
Not a big fan. Good luck?
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S
My wife and I always look forward to having you in our home we will miss you. But spending time with your family is the most important thing to do looking forward to seeing you again. I know that all the views will miss you. Thank you
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