Steve Capus, NBC News Director, Resigns After Two Decades at Network; Interim Structure Set After Departure

NBC News President Steve Capus has resigned from the network in what is said to be " an extremely difficult decision."

In a memo obtained by TV Newser, Capus wrote, "Of course, it is an extremely difficult decision to walk away from a place that has been the backdrop for everything in my life since 1993."

According to Capus, in the memo sent to NBC News staff, he said it has been a privilege spending two decades with the network but recognizes it is time to steer into a new direction.

"It is impossible to fully express how much I respect the people of NBC News," wrote Capus. "To call everyone 'colleagues' has been a true honor ... but to call so many of you dear friends has been a true gift. Thank you for everything. I could not be prouder of what we have accomplished together."

NBC News Group Chairman Pat Fili-Krushel issued his own memo to staff.

"[Capus'] journalistic excellence has been demonstrated over the years on a wide array of stories," wrote Fili-Krushel. "In the past several months alone he led NBC News' coverage of the Presidential Election, Hurricane Sandy and the tragedy at Sandy Hook. NBC News is America's leading source of television news and Steve has been a big part of that success."

The chairman added that he will create an interim structure for the NBC News division until a successor for Capus is named.

Names such as David Corvo, Phil Griffin, Elena Nachmanoff, Antoine Sanfuentes, Vivian Schiller, Sharon Scott, David Verdi, Alex Wallace, and Sharon Otterman will now report to Fili-Krushel in addition to Phil Griffin of MSNBC.