Brian Balthazar is an Emmy Award-winning television journalist, host and executive producer whose work spans national broadcast news, streaming platforms and high-profile live events. Known for his credibility, warmth and quick wit, (which is frequently how he introduces himself,) Brian has become a trusted on-air presence across major networks and a sought-after host for live audiences nationwide.
Brian is currently seen across NBC News programming including Today Show, NBC News Daily, Morning News Now, and Top Story with Tom Llamas. He also appears on CNN and on Australia’s highest-rated morning show, Sunrise, offering industry analysis, breaking news coverage and in-depth celebrity interviews. Frequently quoted in print and digital publications, he brings both journalistic rigor and conversational ease to every platform.
Over the course of his career, Brian has hosted and guest-hosted a wide range of nationally recognized programs. His hosting credits include Human Vs Hamster on HBO Max, Today With Jenna and Friends on NBC, Great American Rescue Bowl on GAC, Food Network LIVE In The Kitchen, HGTV House Party, Page Six TV, The Wendy Williams Show, and People Now. In 2018, he co-hosted the nationally televised Rose Parade alongside The Property Brothers and Nancy O’Dell.
In late 2024, Brian served as co-host of the competition series Human Vs Hamster airing on Max and Magnolia Network. The irreverent series pits humans against hamsters in scaled games of strength, agility and intelligence, blending humor with high-energy competition.
Beyond the studio, Brian is a seasoned live event emcee, moderator and warm-up host. Through Balthazar Entertainment Corp, he has led major entertainment specials, press tours, product launches, conferences and fundraising galas. His live clients and appearances include the Ford Mustang 50th Anniversary Press Tour, AOL Newfronts, the OTT Executive Summit, Russell Brand in NYC, Fashionably Late with Stacy London, and Savannah College of Art and Design’s GamingFest.
He has also served as host for Miss Mississippi USA, Miss Tennessee USA, and Miss Tennessee Teen USA, and as a featured host and honoree for North Shore Animal League America’s national fundraising events, including the annual gala, Rescue Bowl 2024, and the ceremonial lighting of the Empire State Building.
A seasoned stand-up comic, Brian has performed at the Catskills Comedy Festival, Catch a Rising Star and countless other venues, weaving sharp observational humor into his work and delivering corporate-friendly comedy at events when the moment calls for levity that connects with audiences and remains brand-friendly.
Brian’s contributions to television have been recognized with an Emmy Award for Outstanding Television Programming and Innovation for NBC’s Today Show. He is also the recipient of the OTT Genius Award, presented at the OTT Executive Summit by Trender Research, honoring his thought leadership in the rapidly evolving streaming landscape and his keynote insights on changing audience behavior and platform strategy.
In addition to his on-camera work, Brian is President of Balthazar Entertainment, where he develops and produces original programming across broadcast and streaming platforms.
A graduate of Syracuse University with a Bachelor of Science in Speech Communication and Rhetorical Studies, Brian combines sharp editorial instincts with the poise of a seasoned communicator – whether breaking news live on air or guiding thousands through a live event experience.
