On its first broadcast since the announcement of anchor Brian Williams’s suspension, NBC Nightly News took the step of dropping both Williams’s name from the program’s title, opening graphics, recorded introduction, masthead on the show's website and Twitter account.
Following four teasers from now-interim anchor Lester Holt, the opening theme of the program was played as normal, but instead of a recorded intro from actor Michael Douglas, a separate recording by another voice was used that told viewers that “this is NBC Nightly News” and “reporting tonight, Lester Holt.”
Here’s what the wording of the normal weekday announcement from Douglas was: “From NBC News world headquarters in New York, this is NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams.” In contrast, here’s what was read aloud on Wednesday: “From NBC News world headquarters in New York, this is NBC Nightly News. Reporting tonight, Lester Holt.”
Later in the program, Holt addressed Williams’s suspension prior to the first commercial break. He transitioned from the previous story by saying this: “Now to a story many of you were talking on the tonight and one that for us not only hits close to home but in our home.”
After reading portions of the statements released Tuesday night by NBC News President Deborah Turness and NBC Universal CEO Steve Burke, Holt asked if he could add “a personal note” of his own regarding Williams and a message to viewers: “Now, if I may, on a personal note say, it is an enormously difficult story to report. Brian is a member of our family, but so are you, our viewers and we will work every night to be worthy of your trust.”
While Williams was dropped from the program’s graphics on television, his name does remain on the masthead of NBC Nightly News’s website as of 8:00 p.m. Eastern time on Wednesday.
Prior to and up until just after the program concluded in the Washington D.C. area at 7:30 p.m. Eastern, a picture of Williams and his name remained at the top of the program’s website. Less than an hour later, however, Williams’s name and picture were removed. [See comparison of masthead’s below]
This was the top of NBC Nightly News's website at 7:30 p.m. Eastern:
Less than an hour later, here is what the masthead looks like now:
In addition, the NBC Nightly News graphic that has been used prior to commercial breaks as well as along the sides of the anchor desk has not (both before and after Williams’s suspension) included the tag of the host alongside it.
The full transcript of the opening credits and brief on Brian Williams’s suspension on NBC Nightly News on February 11 can be found below.
NBC Nightly News
February 11, 20157:01 p.m. Eastern
LESTER HOLT: Nightly News begins now.
[NBC NIGHTLY NEWS THEME]
ANNOUNCER: From NBC News world headquarters in New York, this is NBC Nightly News. Reporting tonight, Lester Holt.
HOLT: Good evening.
(....)
7:12 p.m. Eastern
LESTER HOLT: Now to a story many of you were talking on the tonight and one that for us not only hits close to home but in our home. Brian Williams, anchor and managing editor of Nightly News has been suspended by NBC management for six months without pay. In a statement, NBC News President Deborah Turner said “on Friday, January 20th Brian misrepresented events which occurred while he was covering the Iraq war in 2003. It then became clear,” she says, “that on other occasions Brian had done the same while telling that story in other venues.” She adds, “this was wrong and completely inappropriate for someone in Brian's position.” In a statement, NBC Universal CEO Steve Burke said, “[b]y his actions Brian has jeopardized the trust millions of Americans place in NBC News.” But he added, “Brian deserves a second chance and we are rooting for him.” Now, if I may, on a personal note say, it is an enormously difficult story to report. Brian is a member of our family, but so are you, our viewers and we will work every night to be worthy of your trust.
