NBC News president Steve Capus exiting

He presided over NBC News at a time of great change, when the internet became a growing source of news delivery, MSNBC veered to the left, and NBC itself was bought by Comcast.

But he’ll probably be most remembered as the guy at the top when “Today” finally fell behind.

NBC News president Steve Capus is leaving after a nearly eight-year tenure.

Capus, the longest-serving of the Big Three network news presidents, told staff today that he will be exiting in the next few weeks.

The change has been brewing for some time, according to The New York Times, which reports his most recent contract gave him an out if he was no longer reporting directly to Steve Burke, NBCUniversal’s chief executive.

Six months ago, Burke shook up the news division by appointing Pat Fili-Krushel head of the new NBCUniversal News Group, with Capus reporting to her. That essentially added a layer between Capus and Burke.

Fili-Krushel’s ascension happened at a rough time for NBC News, when Ann Curry was being pushed out of her position as “Today” co-host. “Today” saw its 17-year win streak in total viewers broken by “Good Morning America” last April, and the show has lagged behind since August, despite picking up a few recent wins in the adults 25-54 demo over its rival.

Many expected that Capus would eventually pay for the problems at “Today.” Last fall “Today’s” executive producer, Jim Bell, was replaced.

NBC did not immediately name a replacement for Capus, and he has not said what he plans to do next.

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