Earlier this year, Chuck Todd departed NBC News after nearly 20 years with the television network. He’s now shedding some light on what he is embracing after that departure.
During an interview with The Hollywood Reporter to discuss his new, independent media endeavor. While mentioning that he’s still finding the “cadence” of producing a podcast — including how frequently or infrequently he should be producing content.
However, one aspect of the operation he isn’t questioning is how to promote or discuss his work.
“I’m certainly enjoying not asking permission,” said Todd. “That’s probably the most liberating feeling. I didn’t have to ask permission to talk with you. NBC always worried about ‘What’s he gonna say?’ That is probably the most liberating feeling, and it’s still a habit. Should I say it this way? It’s just about me now. What am I worried about?”
Chuck Todd joined NBC News in 2007. He served as the outlet’s political director, chief White House correspondent, and served as moderator of Meet the Press from 2014 through September 2023 before handing the reins to current host Kristen Welker.
Earlier this month, he released the first episode of The Chuck Toddcast. Todd was able to hang on to the intellectual property related to his podcast when he exited NBC News in January after 18 years.
Todd added that there was a reason for why there were several months between his departure from NBC News and the launch of his independent media endeavor.
“I’ve been trying to figure out what I was going to do next for a while now, this is even before I left Meet the Press in that I knew I was closer to the end than closer to the middle, if that makes sense,” he said. “This was sort of right after the ’22 midterms.
“The ambition I had at that time was to run a news organization. I sort of felt like, ‘Okay, I know how to make content, but I think this is a poorly run business right now,’ and when I say this, this was not specific to my news organization. I mean generally, I think there’s a lot of weak leadership right now in the traditional media space, and part of it is because the parent companies are running for cover. It looks like a failing business. It’s time to concentrate on other businesses.”
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