Peter Alexander is leaving NBC News after nearly 22 years with the network, including 15 years covering the White House and eight years as co-anchor of “Saturday Today,” according to a source. The decision comes after years of being passed over for top anchor positions at NBC’s flagship shows, including “Today” and “Nightly News.” Alexander, who also serves as the network’s chief White House correspondent, cited the demanding 6-7 day workweeks as a key factor in his departure, though he was also reportedly frustrated by his lack of opportunities for higher-profile roles. Alexander took over the “Saturday Today” anchor slot in 2018, replacing Craig Melvin, who was moved to weekday mornings to “elevate” his career. Melvin later became the lead anchor of “Today,” leaving Alexander without a clear path to that position. In recent years, NBC filled other top anchor roles with Tom Llamas at “Nightly News,” Kristin Welker at “Meet the Press,” and Hallie Jackson at “Weekend Nightly News.” With these positions already occupied, Alexander said he would pursue a new direction. His last day at NBC News is set for Saturday, and he plans to transition to an 11 a.m. weekday anchor role at MS Now, the rebranded MSNBC network that was split from NBC following a restructuring in 2025. The move marks a significant shift for Alexander, who has been a staple of NBC’s news coverage for over two decades. A spokesperson for NBC did not respond to inquiries about his departure. The decision highlights the competitive nature of television news, where long tenures at major networks often come with limited opportunities for advancement. Alexander’s departure underscores the challenges faced by anchors who seek to move into higher-profile roles, even as the industry continues to evolve with new platforms and restructuring efforts.#white_house #nbc_news #ms_now #peter_alexander #saturday_today
Peter Alexander Announces Departure From Saturday TODAY, NBC News Peter Alexander is leaving NBC News after 22 years with the network, including his long-standing role as co-host of Saturday TODAY. The 49-year-old anchor announced his departure during a live broadcast on March 28, citing a desire to spend more time with his two daughters and pursue new challenges. Alexander, along with his wife Alison Starling and their children Ava, 12, and Emma, 10, reside in Washington, D.C., while the Saturday TODAY show is produced from NBC’s Studio 1A in New York City. Alexander emphasized the toll his career had taken on his family life, noting he had been away from home for over 80 nights in the past seven months and more than 200 Friday nights in the last seven years. “In this limited window before my daughters lose interest in hanging out with me… I’m eager to carve out a better balance between my personal and professional lives,” he said. Alexander joined Saturday TODAY in October 2018 and became a co-chief White House correspondent in 2021 alongside Kristen Welker. The duo co-hosted the show from 2020 to 2023, until Welker took over as moderator of NBC’s “Meet the Press.” Since then, Alexander has shared the anchor desk with Laura Jarrett, who joined NBC in January 2023 as a senior legal correspondent. Jarrett praised Alexander’s departure, calling him “a brilliant journalist, a good and decent man, and an extraordinary father.” She added, “You only get one shot to be Ava and Emma’s dad… they are lucky to have you as their father.” Alexander’s career at NBC began in 2004, and he has covered major global events, including the 2005 Iraqi election, the death of Osama bin Laden, and assignments in Baghdad, Banda Aceh, Beijing, and other locations.#nbc_news #peter_alexander #alison_starling #ava #emma
