Stone Phillips Out at NBC News
By Marisa Guthrie -- Broadcasting & Cable, 5/22/2007 9:32:00 AM
Stone Phillips is out at NBC News. The Dateline co-anchor will leave the network in June at the conclusion of his contract. Phillips broke the news to the Dateline staff Tuesday morning, but the NBC veteran is said to have been informed several weeks ago that the network would not renew his contract.
Phillips has co-anchored Dateline since the newsmagazine’s inception in 1992 when Jane Pauley was in the chair next to him.
"It’s been a wonderful 15 years," Phillips said in a statement released by NBC News. "I’m profoundly appreciative of the many friends and colleagues, past and present, who have been a part of the Dateline family. This is a great news division with a bright future. I wish the people of NBC News all the best."
Phillips’ departure comes at a time when NBC News, like many news divisions, is under the gun to cut costs. Consequently, Ann Curry will not get a new co-anchor after Phillips' departure.
Dateline – which in the past filled numerous hours on the NBC schedule – has weathered a sea change in the network news magazine genre from once-hot destinations for big celebrity interviews to branded umbrella segments. Dateline has enjoyed ratings resurgence with its "To Catch a Predator" series.
In a statement, executive producer David Corvo called Phillips a "great reporter and anchor."
"His co-workers also know him as a loyal leader and patient mentor," said Corvo. "At Dateline, we'll miss the passion he brought to his work, and will do our best to live up to the standard he has set."
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NBC has caused a lot of Georgia Folks to stop watching dateline and going to something else on other networks.
I think it is a real loss to have gotten rid of Stone
Phillips. He is a number one anchor.
J.Loveless
Georgia
J Loveless - 9/11/2007 2:35:00 PM EDT -
To me...Stone Phillips IS NBC.......He is the main draw for me.......if Dateline was 5 nights a week...I would be a regular....while the Chris Hansen series had some original info...I found it a hard show to watch...not whatsoever entertaining...and I quit watching after 3rd run....enough of Ann Curry on the morning show...trying so hard to be Katie Couric...never will happen...with Stone gone....so is the only dignity on NBC.....except for Matt in the mornings.....they should get rid of all those silly women and put Stone in their place....BIG Loss...NBC...I am shocked and heartsick....there is so little good network today.....Rethink...get rid of Ann Curry...and put the right person in her place!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sharron Kunz - 8/8/2007 10:57:00 PM EDT -
NBC must be crazy. Stone Phillips is why I watch NBC Dateline. While I like Ann Curry, she is not Stone. I will not watch NBC again. I am terribly disappointed in those that made such a poor business decision. Some other channel will scoop him up.
Irene Bagley - 7/31/2007 4:01:00 PM EDT -
I was blown away to hear Stone Phillips say, in his 15 year recap, that this was his last Dateline.Dateline(Stone Phillips)is the only show I ever recorded every episode, at every time it played.Stone Phillips brought the show to life.It always seems that the shortsighted suits in business seem to have a knack for screwing up a good thing. I'm sure I speak for many that NBC has lost a great anchor and another viewer.Stone Phillips will be sought out wherever he lands.
Brian Roberts - 7/17/2007 10:51:00 PM EDT -
I LOVE STONE PHILLIPS AND DATELINE. THE ONLY REASON I WATCH DATELINE IS TO SEE STONE. WHY, WHY, IS HE LEAVING? WILL SOMEBODY PLEASE TELL ME.
MARGARET MORENO - 7/17/2007 9:42:00 PM EDT
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