NBC drops "Dateline" co-anchor Phillips

NEW YORK (Hollywood Reporter) - Cuts at NBC News reached another on-air talent with the impending departure of "Dateline" co-anchor Stone Phillips.

Phillips' contract will not be renewed, leaving "Today" co-host Ann Curry as the sole anchor of the NBC newsmagazine, which recently was renewed for Saturdays this fall and Sundays after football. Phillips had been with "Dateline" for 15 years.

"I'm profoundly appreciative of the many friends and colleagues, past and present, who have been a part of the 'Dateline' family," Phillips said in a statement. "This is a great news division with a bright future. I wish the people of NBC News all the best."

Phillips' departure is one of a number of cuts mandated by corporate that have hit NBC News, most recently the departure of John Siegenthaler as anchor of the weekend "NBC Nightly News."

NBC decided that in the new TV environment it couldn't justify keeping someone whose primary job was anchoring the weekend news. Executives asked themselves whether "Dateline" needed to have two anchors.

Earlier this month, NBC announced that "Today" co-host Lester Holt would stay longer and anchor the weekend news.

Reuters/Hollywood Reporter