Nikki Battiste, an Emmy and Peabody-winning correspondent at CBS News, is returning to NBC as anchor of "Early Today" while also contributing to "Today." The move marks her homecoming to the network where she worked as a page and production associate over two decades ago.

Battiste spent nearly a decade at CBS News building her reputation as a serious journalist. Her accolades include Emmy Awards and a Peabody Award, recognizing her work covering major stories with depth and editorial rigor. At NBC, she will anchor the early morning newscast "Early Today," which targets viewers during the network's overnight and early morning hours when audiences tune in for quick, reliable news updates.

The role expands her visibility within NBC's news division and positions her within the orbit of "Today," the network's flagship morning show. Contributing to "Today" opens doors for Battiste to report on breaking news and feature stories that reach the show's massive audience. Morning television remains one of broadcast news' most watched dayparts, and anchors who command both early morning and prime morning slots gain significant platform power.

For Battiste, the move represents a professional full circle. Starting as an NBC page, then production associate, she worked her way up through other networks before returning to where her television career began. This kind of trajectory, where talented journalists return to networks that invested in their early training, reflects the value networks place on proven talent with institutional knowledge.

NBC's news division has been competitive in recruiting top talent across morning shows and breaking news coverage. "Early Today" serves a specific demographic of early risers and shift workers who need quick news hits before their day begins. Battiste's journalism credentials and on-camera experience position her to serve that audience while building toward potential larger roles within NBC News.

The announcement underscores NBC's ongoing investment in its morning and daytime news offerings as cable and streaming fragment