CBS News Correspondent Nikki Battiste Joins NBC’s ‘Early Today’ As Anchor: “A True Homecoming”

After nearly a decade at CBS News, correspondent Nikki Battiste is taking her skills back to NBC.

On Friday, the Emmy and Peabody-winning journalist announced that she’s taking on an anchor role at Early Today, in addition to contributing to Today, more than 20 years after her time as an NBC page and production associate on Today. Deadline has reached out to CBS News.

“I’m thrilled to share that I will be joining NBC News as anchor of Early TODAY. I will also contribute to TODAY,” she wrote on Instagram. “I’m honored, humbled and grateful to have the opportunity to work with the extraordinary teams at @nbc_earlytoday @todayshow and @nbcnews.

“This is special for me… a true homecoming. I began my journalism career as an NBC Page and then a production assistant at TODAY. NBC has always been near and dear to me. This next chapter is a dream come true.”

Battiste added, “Thank you @nbc_earlytoday, @todayshow and @nbcnews – and to my family for their continued support and love. I’ll see you on the air the week of August 10th on @nbc @nbcnews and @nbcnewsnow!”

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Starting a CBS News in 2017, Battiste has reported for CBS Mornings, CBS Evening News, 48 Hours and CBS Sunday Morning, as well as the CBS New Streaming Network and CBS Newspath, the network’s 24-hour service for CBS stations and broadcasters around the world.

During her CBS News tenure, Battiste reported on the 2018 Catholic Church sexual abuse scandal, the coronavirus pandemic, several mass shootings and the ongoing debate in America on guns in schools.

Battiste’s departure comes amid major restructuring at CBS News under the Ellison-appointed Bari Weiss administration.