Chuck Todd’s time on Meet The Press is officially over.
After nearly a decade serving as host, the longstanding anchor is stepping back to spend more time with his family. As the longest-running program ever to grace American television, any changes to MTP tend to pull attention, and Todd’s departure is predictably causing waves online. Many of the weekly Sunday program’s younger viewers see the change as a great thing, after years of what they see as declining quality, but older, more seasoned viewers are disappointed to see him go. Todd’s been a staple of NBC’s news reporting for more than 15 years now, and he’ll be missed by longtime fans of his work. Thankfully, his replacement is another NBC staple, and one who might just bridge the gap between those youthful Meet the Press viewers and longtime fans.
Chuck Todd’s Meet The Press replacement
Todd moderated NBC’s Meet The Press for a full nine years before announcing his departure. He broke the news of his impending retirement on Sunday, June 4, and took the time to welcome his incoming replacement. Gushing over her clear eligibility for the role, and praising her as “the right person, in the right moment,” Todd is clearly happy to stand behind Kristen Welker.
Welker is NBC’s former White House correspondent — a job she will likely continue to perform until she takes over Meet The Press in September — and a longstanding news staple. She’s worked for several of the biggest programs in the states, including several ABC and NBC affiliates, and her work on Weekend Today alongside Peter Alexander will surely aid Welker as she steps into her new role at MTP.
Todd’s retirement could mark a turning point for Meet The Press, as the news show strives to step into a new era with Welker’s appointment. The program is a longtime favorite among a huge number of viewers, but many consumers have become disillusioned with the state of news today. While this is certainly not an issue exclusive to Chuck Todd, Meet The Press, or NBC as a whole, each has received criticism in recent years for their coverage and lack of pushback. Hopes are high that, with Welker’s ascension into the role of host and anchor, MTP will return to its roots, and become NBC’s go-to location to learn more about the issues plaguing our nation.
Headed into what is sure to be a contentious 2024 election season, Welker is primed to have those hard conversations. Her work as NBC’s White House correspondent, a role she’s held since 2011, gave her an intimate knowledge of the inner workings of the political sphere, and that background will inevitably aid her as she welcomes candidates, experts, and political guests onto the show starting in the fall.