NBC News president Steve Capus stepping down

(AP) NBC News President Steve Capus says he is leaving after seven years running the network's news division.

While NBC News stood at the top of the ratings during most of his tenure, the decline of the Today show over the past year was a major blight on the division. Six months ago, NBC's corporate parents installed Pat Fili-Krushel to oversee the division, diminishing Capus' influence.

He was a long-time producer for Brian Williams' newscasts before being installed as head of the news division in 2005.

Capus said in a note to his staff that it is time to head in a new direction.