One of the only news executives to have worked in executive roles at the big three broadcast networks, Paul Friedman, got a promotion today to Executive VP of CBS News.

In an email from CBS News and Sports President Sean McManus, obtained by TVNewser, McManus writes, "Thanks to Paul, the news division has grown stronger behind the scenes and in front of the camera. He has been a leader in helping guide CBS News' moves to restructure the way we gather news globally."

Friedman joined CBS News in April 2006 as VP. Before that, he spent two years at PBS and before that 24 years at ABC News, including two stints as EP of "World News Tonight with Peter Jennings."

Before ABC, Friedman was at NBC News for 14 years, serving as EP of the "Today" show from 1976-79 and as senior producer of "Nightly News" from 1975-76. He began his journalism career as a reporter and writer for WNBC Radio News in 1967.