Brian Balthazar is leaving “The View” where he’s been co-executive producer since August, and returning to HGTV as VP of programming and development. Balthazar joined “The View” from AOL where he was head of programming. Before AOL he was a director of programming for HGTV running the popular primetime shows “House Hunters” and “House Hunters International.”
“While my time at The View was brief, I will continue to be a big fan of the show,” Balthazar tells TVNewser. “The decision to move on was a difficult one, however the opportunity to develop long form lifestyle programming is something I have always had a passion for. I look forward to once again working with the talented team at HGTV.”
Balthazar’s background is in news having produced for MSNBC and, later, the “Today” show where he oversaw the fourth hour with Hoda Kotb and Kathie Lee Gifford.
Balthazar told “View” staffers last week that he was departing. He’ll be winding things down in the next couple of weeks before returning to HGTV in March.
“I am tremendously grateful to the talented team at ‘The View’ and ABC both in front and behind the camera,” Balthazar adds. In late October, “The View” was put under the ABC News umbrella and since the new season began there has been no shortage of drama and intrigue about, and among, the hosts.
The news of Balthazar’s departure was first reported by the Daily Mail.