After 15 years with CBS News and four as an anchor for 60 Minutes, Byron Pitts of 60 minutes will move over a few remote control clicks to ABC News in the upcoming weeks.
Via Deadline:
After 15 years at CBS News, Byron Pitts is moving to ABC as an anchor and chief national correspondent. ABC News President Ben Sherwood made the announcement today in an email to news division staff. “An accomplished reporter and brilliant storyteller, Byron has a unique talent for stories about people and communities facing the longest odds. In his new role, he will file for all platforms, bringing his signature thoughtfulness, seriousness of purpose, and flair”, Sherwood said.
As one of the few black faces in national network news amidst the vanishing faces of color from network and cable television, Pitts’ shift from CBS to ABC is a neutral sign in the grand landscape He’ll also join the New York Times’ Susan Saulny, but what matters now is who replaces Pitts at CBS. Pitts joined 60 Minutes soon after the death of Ed Bradley was one of their most high-profile minority talents. Pitts’ hiring is in stark contrast to the changes made by CNN’s Jeff Zucker who has overseen the departure of Soledad O’Brien, their African-American executive vice president Mark Whitaker and who decided not to renew Roland Martin’s contract.
