Meredith Vieira named NBC News special correspondent

NBC News announces Meredith Vieira has been named to a new role as special correspondent for "Rock Center with Brian Williams," the new primetime newsmagazine led by Brian Williams. She will contribute her signature reporting for the broadcast, as well as report for "Today," "NBC Nightly News" and other NBC News programs. Vieira will additionally contribute to special network programming, including the 2012 London Olympic Games.

The announcement was made by NBC News President Steve Capus and is effective immediately.

"From the day that Meredith joined us at NBC News, we knew she was family," said Capus. "Meredith's immeasurable talents reach beyond the newsroom to connect with the extraordinary people she interviews as well as the viewers at home. She is as genuine as you can get, a world-class journalist and a captivating storyteller. These skills will be hugely beneficial to 'Rock Center with Brian Williams' and across NBC News."

Vieira joined "Today" in September 2006 as co-anchor, and was immediately accepted into the ranks of America's first television family. During her five years at "Today," Vieira covered some of the biggest news stories of our time, including the 2008 presidential election; the tragic shooting at Virginia Tech; the devastating earthquakes in Haiti and Japan; and the royal wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton. She sat down with some of the most notable newsmakers, including President Barack Obama, first lady Michelle Obama, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and first lady Laura Bush. She also contributed to "Dateline NBC," as well as many NBC News specials.

While at "Today," Vieira conducted numerous exclusive interviews. She spoke with former CIA agent Valerie Plame Wilson in her first-ever live television interview after her identity was revealed; she sat down with author J.K. Rowling in her only television interview about her final "Harry Potter" volume; she spoke with chimp attack victim Charla Nash in her first interview after leaving the Cleveland Clinic; and she talked to former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich in his first interview after receiving the verdict that convicted him on one count of lying to the FBI