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Peter Alexander shocked NBC fans by announcing his unexpected departure on air. The legendary White House correspondent and Saturday TODAY co-host is leaving after 22 years with the network. Alexander revealed he wants to spend more time with his two daughters and explore new professional challenges.
🔥 Quick Facts
- Career Move: Leaving NBC News for MS NOW as anchor and national correspondent
- Role Change: Will anchor the 11 a.m. Eastern hour on the progressive cable news channel
- Family First: Away from home more than 80 nights in the last 7 months
- Legacy: Served as chief White House correspondent and co-anchor since 2018
NBC Icon Bids Farewell After 22-Year Legacy
Peter Alexander made the shocking announcement on Saturday, March 28, 2026 during his final broadcast. The 49-year-old journalist opened up about his reasons for leaving. He emphasized his desire to achieve better work-life balance before his daughters grow older and lose interest in spending time with him. Alexander noted he had been away from home more than 80 nights in just seven months, straining his family relationships.
His Saturday TODAY co-host Laura Jarrett praised him as a brilliant journalist and devoted father. She acknowledged that Alexander deserves the opportunity to prioritize fatherhood during these critical years with his children.
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From White House to MS NOW New Chapter
Alexander is joining MS NOW, the progressive-leaning cable news network formerly known as MSNBC. The network was rebranded after being spun off from Comcast and separated from NBC News in 2025. As an anchor and national correspondent, he will host a weekday program and cover breaking news. He replaces Ana Cabrera, who exits when the network overhauled its daytime lineup in June.
His new role comes with broader opportunities. Alexander’s deal with Versant includes potential contributions to sports coverage across the company’s other cable properties, USA Network and the Golf Channel. He becomes the first NBC journalist to cross over to MS NOW since the historic split.
An Emmy-Winning Career Spanning Two Decades
Peter Alexander joined NBC News in June 2004 after working as an anchor at WRC, the network’s Washington station. He first served as White House correspondent from 2012 to 2014 during President Obama’s second term. He returned to the position in 2018 when President Trump took office. The Emmy Award-winning journalist has covered major international events, including Iraq’s 2005 election, the death of Osama bin Laden, and numerous U.S. political developments.
| Career Milestone | Details |
| NBC News Start | June 2004 as national correspondent |
| White House Correspondent | 2012-2014 (Obama), 2018-2026 (Trump) |
| Saturday TODAY Co-Host | October 2018 to March 28, 2026 |
| Awards | Emmy Award-winning journalist |
“I have been away from home more than 80 nights in the last seven months. More than 200 Friday nights away from my family in the last seven years. So, in this limited window before my daughters lose interest in hanging out with me, I’m eager to carve out a better balance between my personal and professional lives.”
— Peter Alexander, NBC News Correspondent
What Happens to Saturday TODAY After Alexander’s Exit
The departure of Peter Alexander marks another significant shift at NBC News during a period of major changes. His decision follows years of speculation about his career trajectory. According to insiders, Alexander had been passed over for top anchor positions at NBC, which may have influenced his final decision. Laura Jarrett will continue as Saturday TODAY’s anchor, with NBC announcing new talent to fill the void. The broadcaster has not released details about his permanent replacement yet.
Does Peter Alexander’s Family Support His New Direction
Alexander is married to Alison Starling, a psychotherapist who was formerly a news anchor at WJLA-TV in Washington, D.C. The couple has two daughters, Ava, 12, and Emma, 10. Both daughters live in Washington, D.C., while Alexander had been broadcasting from New York City’s NBC Studios every Saturday. His new MS NOW position should allow him to maintain stronger family bonds and reduce the frequent travel that strained his personal life. Friends and colleagues celebrated his decision as the right move for protecting his fatherhood years.
Sources
- Los Angeles Times – Peter Alexander leaves NBC to join MS NOW as anchor
- TODAY.com – Peter Alexander announces departure after 22 years at NBC News
- Variety – Peter Alexander exits NBC News after juggling White House duties
