The senior EP of NBC’s “Meet the Press,” Betsy Fischer Martin, will transition out of that role later this Summer, NBC News says. She will instead be focusing on her role as Managing Editor of NBC News Political Programming, duties she added when she was promoted in March. No word on who will be taking over day-to-day oversight of NBC’s Sunday public affairs show when she departs.
“As you all know, [Betsy] has had an extraordinary run on the show and is among the longest-running executives dedicated to a single program in the history of NBC News,” NBC News senior VP Antoine Sanfuentes wrote in a memo to staff this morning. “I am grateful for her contributions to that legendary program. I know she will bring the same tenacity, savvy and passion to this next phase of her remarkable career and all the platforms and programs of NBC News will benefit greatly from her expertise.”
Fischer Martin began her career at NBC News as an intern almost 22 years ago, rising to EP the network’s signature Sunday public affairs show in 2002.
“I have been so honored to have had almost 22 years in a front row seat to history every week on ‘Meet the Press,’ And while I am moving on from that incredibly humbling seat, I am thrilled for the new opportunity to shape NBC’s political coverage and work with ALL our talented producers and correspondents across the network,” Fischer Martin says in a statement. “Working with David Gregory and our immensely talented staff and crew has been a privilege and I look forward to watching ‘Meet the Press’ continue to lead the way on shaping the conversation on politics and policy.”
Sanfuentes’ note, and comments from ‘Meet the Press” moderator David Gregory and NBC News Group chief Pat Fili-Krushel, after the jump.
Earlier this year, Betsy Fischer Martin re-signed a long-term contract
with NBC News adding the role of Managing Editor of Political
Programming to her duties as the Senior Executive Producer of “Meet the
Press.”With the substantial experience, strong relationships and excellent
reputation she brings to this role, Betsy is responsible for the
development and execution of compelling political coverage for NBC News.
Working with Chuck Todd, our Washington Bureau and the entire political
team, she will provide editorial direction of political coverage
including long-range planning.I have asked her to work closely with all of the shows and digital teams
to develop and execute expansive political coverage across platforms and
develop plans for major political coverage such as the upcoming
mid-terms and the 2016 Presidential election.Additionally, she will create and execute coverage strategy for NBC
News-branded polls and political data.Betsy has embraced this new role and has already made significant
contributions to our polling initiatives as well as coverage of special
political events like the dedication of the George W. Bush presidential
library last spring.In order for her to fully execute on these priorities for NBC News,
later this summer she will transition out of her role as Senior
Executive Producer of “Meet the Press.” Betsy and I have been
discussing this for some time and she feels this decision will enable
her to devote the full time and attention needed given the expanded
scope of this new role.As you all know, she has had an extraordinary run on the show and is
among the longest-running executives dedicated to a single program in
the history of NBC News. I am grateful for her contributions to that
legendary program.Beginning her career as an intern on “Meet the Press” almost 22 years
ago and rising to become its executive producer for the past 11 years,
she has guided the program through presidential election cycles, policy
debates, world events and even its own time of transition – helping to
make the show what it is today — the premiere destination for political
dialogue.I know she will bring the same tenacity, savvy and passion to this next
phase of her remarkable career and all the platforms and programs of NBC
News will benefit greatly from her expertise.We will celebrate both Betsy’s accomplishments and her new position in
the coming weeks, but in the meantime, David Gregory asked me to share
this with you:“I am thrilled for Betsy, but I’m also sorry to see her leave ‘Meet the
Press.’ She has dedicated her entire career to this program and is a
huge part of why it has been so successful for so long. When I became
moderator nearly five years ago, I could not have asked for a better
partner and the program could not have asked for a better leader during
such a sensitive transition. She is a brilliant producer, but beyond
that is a seasoned Washington journalist. I look forward to working
closely with Bets in this new role which will benefit our political
coverage immensely.”Pat Fili-Krushel added: “I would like to recognize and thank Betsy for
an outstanding job on ‘Meet the Press’ and to congratulate her as she
fully transitions into her role as Managing Editor of Political
Programming for NBC News. She has certainly helped build the show into
the powerful brand it is today and I look forward to seeing more
long-lasting contributions from her in this new capacity.”Antoine
SVP
NBC News