NBC News anchor Campbell Brown is moving to CNN. She has been co-anchoring Weekend Today since 2003, but her contract is up at the end of this month and she is not re-signing with the network. Perhaps it has something to do with the fact that she didn't get the Today anchor gig when Katie Couric left for CBS. Brown was reportedly one of the Top 5 contenders for the job, but it went to Meredith Vieira.While a newsperson's jump from NBC to CNN isn't that exciting, Campbell's move may signal a shake-up at CNN. TV Newser is reporting that she may be getting her own show... in place of Paula Zahn's 8 pm NOW broadcast, which has had dwindling ratings.
It'll be interesting to see what Brown brings to CNN. Except for her recent stint on Weekend Today, her background is hard news. She's been working as a correspondent for NBC since 1996 and has covered everything from Bill Clinton's impeachment trial, the Pentagon, the war in Kosovo, and George W. Bush's 2000 presidential campaign.















Reader Comments (Page 1 of 7)
6-16-2007 @ 10:32AM
Tammy said...
Campbell was my pick for Katie's job too. I love her on Weekend Today and will really miss her. Lester and Campbell worked well together. NBC was a fool not to do something with her when they hired Meredith and gave Lester the Weekend Nightly News.
I not really a CNN watcher but I would check out whatever Campbell does, especially if she replaces Paula.
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6-16-2007 @ 10:54AM
Keith said...
thank god she is leaving....!! maybe they can find someone who is warmer and not so hard!!
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6-16-2007 @ 11:17AM
jmalcolm said...
Campbell to me was THE pick to fill the daily spot. Instead they put in this incompetant boob, Viera whose best talent is making Matt hate her and hurting herself. Now NBC continues demonstrating how stupid they are by losing Campbell.
I will definitely follow Campbell over to CNN. I frequently bail on NBC news to one of the indie newschannels esp during the today show which was increasingly become The View, Part II.
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6-16-2007 @ 11:20AM
lorilei13 said...
I hate to hear that. Good for her, I guess, but I've enjoyed her on Weekend Today. I think she and Lester are a great team; she has a certain goofiness that counteracts his slightly stiff manner. But since she does have a more serious news background, I can't really blame her, since apparently there's no way for her to move up in the NBC news organization.
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6-17-2007 @ 10:59AM
DF said...
I too am going to miss Campbell. She is adds wit and intelligence to the show. For some reason NBC prefers silly, air-head women like Amy and Meredith. I've stopped watching Today, now maybe it's time to turn off weekend Today
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6-18-2007 @ 12:13PM
sara said...
Calling Meredith silly and air-head speaks volumes of empty
headedness of your blogger. Does the blogger know that
Meredith was the FIRST woman correspondent on respected
60 minutes. As per Campbell, who was covering Bush campaign in 2000, lucked out with guys in black robes appointed Bush to the presidency and not actual winner
Gore. Thus Campbell owes her ascendancy to plain luck and a little bit of talent...
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6-18-2007 @ 12:37PM
Barbara Wieczorek said...
I've been wondering where Campbell Brown has been for the past few weeks. I think her fine work for NBC News and Weekend Today should have earned her a proper farewell, but if any mention has been made of her leaving, I've missed it. Campbell is definitely a credible and likeable newsperson, and wherever she goes I will be there to have a look-see. If she is going to CNN, it will be their good fortune. Replacing Wolf Blitzer would be perfect!
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6-18-2007 @ 11:52PM
Judy said...
Watching TODAY less and less! Wanted Campbell to get the TODAY job. As someone else said, not a CNN person, but I will watch Campbell Brown. As NBC continues to lose 'heads', Lester Holt can't be everywhere ...please reconsider if it isn't too late and offer Campbell a good spot on NBC.
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6-19-2007 @ 6:16PM
Polly Campenni said...
Campbell would certainly have been a better choice than Meredith for the Today show. While Meredith is a credentialed newsperson, she appears awkward and cynical on air during a live shoe....Campbell is much more genuine and on-target with her humor. It's clear that she needs to move for her career...shame on you, NBC!
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6-20-2007 @ 10:49AM
Evelyn said...
I am sorry to see Campbell leave Weekend Today. I'm not sure I would have enjoyed her full time on the today show but I did enjoy her on the weekends. She should do well on CNN.
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6-20-2007 @ 7:26AM
Muriel said...
Big mistake NBC, big one. Campbell Brown is beautiful, smart and shows up the likes of Meredith, Anne and Natalie. I will definitely follow her to CNN, and now stop watching any of the Today programs. NBC shows that air headed women make it big. I wonder where Matt will go?
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6-20-2007 @ 9:40AM
Diane said...
Campbell should have replaced Katie. Meredith appears ill at ease at all times. I do not like the program as well now, nor will Weekend Today be as good without Campbell. NBC needs to rethink their choices. They are making serious errors.
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6-20-2007 @ 10:14AM
Marty said...
The loss of Campbell Brown is huge. Her reporting from Katrina was some of the very best produced by any network or cable outlet. I will miss her compassion, wit and intelligence. The NBC news division has lost me as a viewer in all time slots.
To Campell Brown: You go, girl!!
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6-20-2007 @ 12:45PM
Nancy Lowe said...
I hate to hear that NBC is losing such a talented newscaster! I thought she did a fantastic job when she filled in for Brian Williams from time to time. Lester does a good job; but, Campbell has the poise and sophistication that is needed on NBC. I have always liked the Today show; but, it is not nearly as good as it used to be. I only watch it because of Matt and Al. I also think that Al is not used to his full potential. I hope that CBS interviews him for The Price is Right! I will be signing off here and going to that sight to make the suggestion!
NBC's loss is CNN's gain! She is one of the best women on TV news!
Thank you,
Nancy Lowe
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6-23-2007 @ 9:57AM
Charlena said...
I am saddend to see Campbell Brown leave NBC, I don't like Meredith and don't think she does anything for the show. Campbell and Lester were a good tea.
Good LuckCampbell.
l
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6-20-2007 @ 2:43PM
C. Rogers said...
I just can't believe this. What is wrong with NBC. I enjoyed watching Campbell. When I heard about this I switched to CBS this weekend. Good Luck Campbell. I hope to see you on CNN.
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6-20-2007 @ 9:27PM
Sandy said...
Campbell Brown is a very competent reporter. She is NOT an anchor. She has warmed up slightly to the Today Weekend anchor spot but her talent was lost there. Her strength lies in hard core news reporting. Maybe Dateline or 60 Minutes or her own news show. I will hate to see her leave NBC but I also was dismayed at her leaving her correspondent spot as the NBC White House reporter. I wish her well. She belongs in a job covering REAL news.
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6-21-2007 @ 9:59AM
Suzanne said...
Campbell has always been at her best, IMHO, when doing hard news. I think the soft news morning format was a real stretch for her to start out with. But, to her credit, she eventually worked to add this to her abilities. I am not a big fan of CNN news, with the exception of just a few newscasters (Heidi Collins comes to mind). However, I'll be much happier to see her doing hard news again, and hope that is what they have in store for her. She is sharp and smart, as well as articulate. Qualities wasted on a morning news program.
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6-24-2007 @ 12:04PM
maddy said...
Is this really confirmed I got the definite message from the show this morning that Campbell is pregnant. She is a totally Knowledgeable newscaster. Lester and her are the best combination on tv.
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6-24-2007 @ 4:26PM
Chuck said...
NBC should keep Campbell and get rid of Ann. She talks too much and often overshadows the guest.
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