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Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Harry Smith’s March 2024 farewell on TODAY marked the end of his 12-year run at NBC. He said he was grateful for his time there and planned to teach a course on curiosity at Central College in Iowa. In September 2026, People reported that he had returned to NBC News as a contributor—an update that follows, rather than cancels, his 2024 departure.
When did Harry Smith leave NBC?
TODAY aired Smith’s farewell on March 29, 2024, describing him as leaving NBC after 12 years. TVLine reported that his final broadcast on NBC Nightly News had aired the Thursday before the Friday farewell. His exit was from a long network career: TVLine said he spent 17 years at CBS before joining NBC, while PBS’s 2024 Iowa Life interview described his time in network television at CBS and NBC as nearly 40 years. Those are each outlets’ rounded descriptions, not a single precise career-duration calculation.
The farewell was a celebration of Smith’s reporting, not a public announcement of a dispute. NBC colleagues praised his work, and Smith spoke appreciatively about his experience at the network.
What did “I have nothing but gratitude” mean?
Smith’s words in the farewell coverage were: “I have nothing but gratitude.” They conveyed how he described his time at NBC; the available coverage does not identify a specific conflict or other hidden reason for his departure.
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Savannah Guthrie praised the stories he brought to viewers: “Harry has brought us some remarkable stories, finding people and places that stay with us forever, writing stories with such elegance and beauty that, frankly, no one can match.”
What did Harry Smith plan to do after leaving NBC?
Smith said he intended to return to Central College, his alma mater in Pella, Iowa, to teach a course on curiosity. PBS’s 2024 interview confirmed that plan. Discussing his return to campus, Smith said: “One of the great things about coming here is no 20-year-old in America has ever watched one minute of network news.” He also said he might write a book or two.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Did Harry Smith return to NBC News?
Yes, according to a September 28, 2026 report by People, which said Smith was returning to NBC News as a contributor. The report described his assignment as producing “Common Good” feature stories for TODAY, NBC Nightly News and NBC News live events. This update is attributed to People; it is a reported contributor return, distinct from NBC’s 2024 announcement that Smith was leaving after 12 years.
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Sources
- TODAY’s March 29, 2024 farewell retrospective
- PBS Iowa Life’s 2024 interview with Harry Smith
- TVLine’s 2024 report on Smith’s departure
- Yahoo-hosted People report on Smith’s reported September 2026 return
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