Kristen Welker’s tenure on NBC News’ venerable “Meet the Press” won’t start until Sept. 17, but the network isn’t waiting to tell The audience about it.
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Kristen Welker Set to Make History as Host of “Meet the Press”
On Saturday, those who tuned in on the NBC News reporter’s final Saturday co-host of “Today” with Peter Alexander will see a new promo reminding them of Welker’s impending move. Video vignettes showcase moments from Welker’s recent career: in the White House briefing room, with three presidents; on the campaign trail; and moderating one of the 2020 presidential debates. The promo will also feature filler shots of Welker at the “Meet the Press” desk.
A Landmark Moment: Welker Becomes the First Black Journalist to Lead the Show
When Welker takes over the reins of the show from Chuck Todd, she will be the series’ 13th host, but only the first black journalist to host the show and the second woman (the The series’ founding anchor, Martha Rountree, launched “Meet The Press,” the television version of the public affairs radio show, in 1947. In an interview with NBC’s Milwaukee affiliate WTMJ earlier this week, Welker said she wanted to “reflect voices from different backgrounds across the country. I think that’s part of my responsibility and part of the legacy that I’m going to carry.”
Embracing Diversity and Change: Welker’s Vision for “Meet the Press” and Its Future
NBC News is orchestrating the show’s transition at a critical time. Most national TV news outlets are more focused on preparations for the 2024 presidential election, a cycle that typically attracts broader viewership and more ad dollars. In 2020, four Sunday morning political talk shows on broadcast television — ABC’s “This Week,” “CBS’s “Face the Nation,” Fox’s “Fox News,” according to data collected by the Pew Research Center. Sunday—and NBC’s “Meet the Press”—both show average audience increases of about 20 percent.
NBC News plans to make some subtle changes to the programming after Welker joins. A new logo has been created with some modern design elements. Welker will sit behind a new desk at “Meet the Press,” a program whose structure is being updated, though NBC News declined to provide further details.
During Todd’s tenure, “Meet the Press” has expanded beyond its Sunday TV base. The news franchise includes a variety of podcasts, a newsletter, a cable show (now part of the streaming service NBC News Now), and even a film festival.
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Welker hinted in recent interviews that she hopes to build on his efforts. “Chuck took me to Washington, D.C., many years ago to cover the White House, and I learned pretty much everything I know about politics from Chuck Todd,” she said. “I just want to make sure I’m making him proud and that I’m building on the incredible legacy he started and the legacy of the show.”
FAQ’s
Is Kristen Welker taking over Meet the Press?
Yes, Kristen Welker will be taking over as the moderator of Meet the Press in September 2023. She will be the first Black woman to hold the position.
Welker is currently the co-chief White House correspondent for NBC News. She has been with the network since 2010 and has covered the White House for the past six years. She is known for her tough but fair questioning of politicians and world leaders.
Welker’s appointment as moderator of Meet the Press is a significant moment for diversity in the media. It is a sign that NBC News is committed to giving a platform to voices that have been historically underrepresented.
I believe that Kristen Welker will be an excellent moderator of Meet the Press. She is intelligent, articulate, and has a deep understanding of the political landscape. I am confident that she will ask tough questions and hold her guests accountable.
I am also excited to see how Kristen Welker’s appointment will impact the show’s viewership. Meet the Press is one of the most popular Sunday morning political shows in the United States, and Welker’s appointment could help to attract a new audience.
Overall, I believe that Welker’s appointment as moderator of Meet the Press is a positive development. It is a sign of progress in terms of diversity in the media, and it is a testament to Welker’s skills as a journalist.
What happened to the host of Meet the Press?
Chuck Todd, the previous host of Meet the Press, announced on June 4, 2023 that he would be stepping down from the show after nine years. He will be replaced by Kristen Welker, NBC News’ co-chief White House correspondent.
Todd said that he made the decision to step down in order to spend more time with his family. He also said that he wanted to pursue other opportunities, such as writing a book and developing new projects for NBC News.
Todd’s departure from Meet the Press is a significant change for the show. He had been the moderator since 2014, and he was known for his tough but fair questioning of politicians and world leaders. Welker is a respected journalist with a long track record of covering the White House, and she is expected to bring her own unique style to the show.
It remains to be seen how Welker’s appointment will impact Meet the Press’s viewership. The show has been facing declining ratings in recent years, and it is unclear whether Welker will be able to reverse that trend.
However, her appointment is a sign that NBC News is committed to keeping Meet the Press a top destination for political news and analysis.
Who is the new anchor for Meet the Press?
Kristen Welker is the new anchor for Meet the Press. She is the first Black woman to hold the position.
Kristen Welker is currently the co-chief White House correspondent for NBC News. She has been with the network since 2010 and has covered the White House for the past six years. She is known for her tough but fair questioning of politicians and world leaders.
Welker’s appointment as anchor of Meet the Press is a significant moment for diversity in the media. It is a sign that NBC News is committed to giving a platform to voices that have been historically underrepresented.
I believe that Kristen Welker will be an excellent anchor for Meet the Press. She is intelligent, articulate, and has a deep understanding of the political landscape. I am confident that she will ask tough questions and hold her guests accountable.
