The move comes a little over six months after the network removed Smith, 59, and anchorwoman Maggie Rodriguez as hosts of its third-ranked breakfast broadcast, The Early Show. A news anchor for more than 30 years, Smith served as a senior correspondent for CBS News and was among the substitute anchors for the CBS Evening News, Face the Nation, and CBS News Sunday Morning. He narrated the A&E series Biography and was also a host The Early Show’s predecessor, CBS This Morning, for 17 years.
As a new correspondent for NBC News, Smith will contribute his reporting to the network’s recently announced primetime newsmagazine hour, Steve Capus, President of NBC News, said Monday. The new broadcast, led by NBC Nightly News anchor and managing editor Brian Williams, will feature the correspondents and anchors of NBC News, MSNBC, and CNBC.
“A veteran in the industry and highly regarded journalist, we’re honored to have Harry on board as one of the correspondents of the new prime-time newsmagazine show,” Capus said in a statement. “His vast experience, covering everything from interviews with world leaders to wars and natural disasters, makes him a perfect fit for this new broadcast. Plus, Harry also brings a well-earned reputation for being a great colleague and co-worker — something we truly value at NBC News.”