Stelter To New York Times, Leaves TVNewser Behind

The New York Observer's Media Mob blog has reported earlier this morning that must-read TVNewser blogger Brian Stelter, who graduated last month from Towson University, has been hired by the New York Times as a media reporter, working in print and online.

Stelter will be working with media editor Bruce Headlam, and told ETP that in addition to doing print reporting he will be working with Headlam in starting a new media vertical at the NYT. "We're going to figure out what that means, exactly," said Stelter. "Part of the excitement is in building something completely new."

Which means he won't be bringing TVNewser with him. Stelter confirmed to ETP that TVNewser will live on without him under a new editor, and that he would not be bringing it over to the NYT. His last day will be July 20, 2007 — which means, according to a non-compete clause in his Mediabistro contract, that he will be precluded from reporting on cable news for six months. However, this should not preclude Stelter from reporting and writing about network TV news — which means that NBC, CBS and ABC are fair game. Too bad the kid has no sources there.*

Stelter will be starting at the NYT on July 23rd, three days after his final TVNewser post — but he will be taking a family vacation during the week of the 14th. (For those already feeling the withdrawal pangs, fear not — he wont' be far from the keyboard. "I've always blogged in the past while on vacation, " said Stelter. "So I'll be doing it one more time.")

Stelter, who has the ear of anchors, editors and top network execs, not surprisingly fielded a number of offers following his graduation from Towson before making his final decision. "It's hard to turn down the New York Times," he said.

*We're kidding, of course.