WCNC news director leaving for NBC job

Corrie Harding, news director of WCNC (Channel 36) for four years, will be leaving the station at the end of the month to take a job with NBC News in New York.

In his new position, Harding will work as director of news partnerships with NBC, responsible for developing plans for the growth of news content on broadcast and digital platforms. 

Corrie Harding

Harding, 49, said Friday that his departure had nothing to do with the recent ownership change at WCNC, which has been taken over by Gannett from its former owner, Belo.

"It was just a great opportunity," Harding said. "It was something I had to seriously investigate, and it ended up working out."

Harding came to WCNC, an NBC affiliate, in November 2009. Previously he was news director at the NBC affiliate in Pittsburgh.

Harding's departure comes after the station's news department won regional Emmy awards in five categories last weekend.

Under Harding's leadership, the station expanded its morning newscast and 4 p.m. broadcast by 30 minutes each. He also led the staff during last year's Democratic National Convention in Charlotte.

No successor has been named. His is the second major position at the station to go vacant. General manager Tim Morrissey retired at the time of the Gannett purchase.