CBS correspondent tapped by NBC for anchor role in surprise move

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Nikki Battiste is leaving CBS after almost a decade to take a new role at NBC, where she will anchor Early TODAY and contribute to TODAY. Her move is set to begin the week of August 10, marking a rapid transition to the network where she launched her broadcasting career.

Why this matters now

Battiste’s switch matters to morning-news audiences and newsroom watchers: she arrives at NBC as a familiar television reporter with national exposure, stepping into an on-air anchor role that reaches early-morning viewers across the country. Her start date is immediate enough to affect both networks’ lineups this season.

A personal homecoming

In an Instagram post announcing the change, Battiste shared a photo wearing an NBC cap and holding an NBC mug and thanked colleagues and family for their support. She described the move as a “homecoming,” recalling that she began in television as an NBC Page and then a production assistant on TODAY and at Saturday Night Live.

The post also named the teams she’ll work with — Early TODAY, TODAY and NBC News — and gave viewers a clear on-air timeline: expect to see her the week of August 10 on NBC’s platforms.

Career snapshot

Battiste’s résumé spans major network newsrooms. After early roles at NBC she worked several years as a reporter and producer at ABC News before joining CBS in 2017. While at CBS she appeared regularly on programs such as CBS Mornings, CBS Evening News, 48 Hours and CBS Sunday Morning.

New role: Anchor, Early TODAY; contributor to TODAY

Start: Week of August 10

Previous networks: NBC (early-career), ABC News, CBS News (2017–2026)

Awards: Emmy and Peabody honors; Emmy received in 2017 as part of ABC for “The President and the People”

Early Today airtime: 3:30 a.m. ET, Monday–Friday

What viewers can expect

Beginning next week, Battiste will appear during the pre-dawn broadcast of Early TODAY, which airs at 3:30 a.m. ET on weekdays. She is also slated to contribute segments to the main TODAY show, increasing her visibility across NBC’s morning programming.

The hire brings NBC an anchor with a track record across flagship news programs and a history with the network, a combination that supports continuity for long-time morning viewers while refreshing Early TODAY’s presenting team.

Recognition and reporting focus

Throughout her career Battiste has been recognized for in-depth reporting and newsroom work with industry awards, including a Peabody and an Emmy. Her 2017 Emmy was awarded in the Outstanding News Special category for work on “The President and the People” while at ABC.

Her reporting has covered political and national stories on flagship broadcast programs, and at NBC she will bring that experience to both early-morning anchoring and contributor pieces for the broader morning franchise.