Gregory will host ‘Meet the Press’

NEW YORK – David Gregory’s new job as moderator of “Meet the Press” was made official Sunday with an announcement on the long-running NBC interview program that he will take over starting next week.

The 38-year-old chief White House correspondent was introduced by Tom Brokaw, who stepped in as temporary host last June after the death of Tim Russert, the program’s moderator since 1991.

“I’ve thought a lot about what it means to succeed somebody like Tim Russert,” Gregory told viewers. “I’m not Tim. But along with this great team, I can just work real hard to make him proud.”

A ratings leader with enormous influence, “Meet the Press” brings Gregory “one of the greatest jobs there is,” he said in an interview after the broadcast. “It’s a place where accountability reigns, where leadership is explored and where people come to understand how the government works and try to understand the important issues of the day.”

In addition to his “Meet the Press” responsibilities, Gregory will be a regular contributor for “Today” and continue as a backup anchor. He will also continue as a regular contributor and analyst on MSNBC and for NBC News coverage of special events, the network said.

A Los Angeles native who joined NBC News in 1995, Gregory was MSNBC’s chief anchor on Election Night and during general election debates, and has hosted an hourlong political show weekdays on MSNBC.