PBS’ “The NewsHour With Jim Lehrer” will debut its new name, “The PBS NewsHour,” and a fresh look on Monday, Dec. 7. The show is marking its 34th year on the air.
CBS News correspondent Hari Sreenivasan will join the staff of “NewsHour,” reporting and anchoring video news updates throughout the day on the show’s website. He also will appear nightly on the show, anchoring the summary of the day’s headlines from the “NewsHour” newsroom.
Sreenivasan also will be involved in helping the PBS NewsHour become the hub of news and public affairs reporting on PBS, both on-air and online.
Sreenivasan said in a statement, "Jim Lehrer and his colleagues at the ‘NewsHour’ and PBS have set the standard for top quality reporting and analysis. I look forward to helping them meet the exciting challenges presented by the new landscape in journalism."
"With the nation facing unprecedented challenges on numerous fronts, it’s never been more important for viewers to have a place to turn for solid, in-depth, trustworthy reporting," John Boland, PBS chief content officer, said in a statement. "Hari Sreenivasan brings a wealth of experience in broadcast and digital news media and will enhance the already great team of journalists in place."
The rebranding of “The PBS NewsHour,” in addition to a new name, logo and broadcast and online graphics, will feature many other changes, all guided by extensive audience and station research and designed to create a stronger relevance to, and attunement with, broadcast and digital audiences, PBS said in a statement.
However, Jim Lehrer said, "What will not change is our commitment to serious journalism – MacNeil Lehrer journalism – the kind of work we’ve been doing for 35 years. This is needed now more than ever."
The new format places a strong emphasis on the “NewsHour.” It now will have a two-anchor format, pairing Lehrer with a rotation of “NewsHour” senior correspondents Gwen Ifill, Judy Woodruff and Jeffrey Brown.
“NewsHour” will send more senior correspondents out of the studio to deliver original reporting and newsmaker interviews from the field.
Also, the broadcast and digital divisions of the program will be merged, with one staff serving both outlets and producing content for the platform best suited to it.
“The PBS NewsHour” will actively collaborate and seek partnerships in the creation, presentation and distribution of content, as well as continuing its strong relationship with local public television station partners.
