Beginning November 7, "NBC Nightly News" will make history by becoming the first and only network newscast to be broadcast as is, in its entirety and free of charge, online exclusively at MSNBC.com. As a result, "Nightly News" will now expand its daily audience beyond the limits of the broadcast television platform to the Internet, and beyond this country to the entire world. The announcement was made today by Steve Capus, acting president of NBC News and Charlie Tillinghast, president of MSNBC.com.
"This is the next logical step for 'Nightly' and NBC News," said Capus. "As the leader on the broadcast side, and with our partnership in the leading online news and information site, MSNBC.com, it couldn't be a better fit. We know that just as fast as technology is changing, people's lives are changing too, and they expect our newscasts to keep up with those changes. With this announcement we are doing just that."
For those viewers who cannot watch the nation's No. 1 network evening newscast when it airs in their local broadcast market, they will now have the opportunity to view "NBC Nightly News" on the Internet beginning at 10 pm, ET/7 pm PT at www.nightlynews.msnbc.com. "NBC Nightly News Netcast with Brian Williams" will be the same program that aired earlier in the evening on NBC, including breaking news updates. Past broadcasts will be archived on the site.
As the first and only network evening news anchor who blogs regularly (www.dailynightly.msnbc.com), "Nightly News" anchor and managing editor Brian Williams said, "Many of our viewers tell me they often miss the broadcast because they're not home in time or tending to their busy lives and families. This new service reflects the fact that the pace of our lives has changed. For all the loyal viewers who have made us the most-watched newscast in America, there are others who want to watch but can't. Now they'll be able to join us every night, when it's convenient for them."
Said John Reiss, executive producer of "NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams," "We are already the clear choice of Americans who are home at 6:30 pm; now we can be the choice of Americans whenever they get home. This is truly a groundbreaking step for 'Nightly News' and our audience."
The pioneer of online news video in the late 1990's, MSNBC.com continually breaks new ground in that arena. Already offering individual segments from "Nightly News," "Today," "Dateline," "Meet the Press," and MSNBC TV as well as live video events and MSNBC.com original programs, the site served more than 75 million videos in the month of September. "Nightly News" is the first program to be offered daily, in its entirety on the site.
"Consumers are increasingly getting their news online, and MSNBC.com leads that space," said Charlie Tillinghast, president of MSNBC.com, "By partnering with NBC News to offer 'Nightly News' in its entirety, we're giving news consumers the flexibility to watch the program on their own schedule, on whatever medium they choose."
MSNBC.com consistently attracts more consumers than competitors like CNN.com and, in fact, attracts nearly one-third of all online news consumers. The site averages more than 23 million unique users per month, more than triple that of ABCNews.com, CBSNews.com and FOXNews.com.
NBC News is the leading network news division in cross-platform distribution of its content, with its programming available on the NBC television network, on NBC's 24-hour cable news channel, MSNBC, on the internet at www.MSNBC.com, via cell phone on NBC Mobile, on NBC News Radio and via podcast.
"Today's announcement marks an important and empowering day for consumers," said Deborah Reif, President, NBC Universal Digital Media. "Viewers will now be able to access their favorite evening news program when they want it. NBC News' leadership decision today reinforces NBC Universal's broader commitment to delivering our content to consumers on whatever platform they choose."
