Michael Douglas has become a news presenter.

The 63-year-old star has achieved "immortality" by becoming the new announcer for NBC's "Nightly News", and will introduce anchorman Brian Williams at 6.30pm, five nights-a-week.

The Oscar-winner's first recorded introduction was heard on Monday.

Williams said, "I appealed to Michael's sense of romance and sentimentality and his love of the industry. I called him and said, 'On top of all you've done as an actor, producer and Oscar winner, this will mean a slice of immortality in our industry. It also means wherever you are on Earth, at 6.30pm Eastern time, you'll know your voice is on the air."

"He wasn't too hard to convince. To my great and everlasting surprise he accepted immediately. Having Michael introduce me is a terrific way to get the show started."

Douglas reportedly donated his fee to charity after recording the introductory voiceover during a short session in a studio.

The "Nightly News" had been introduced for 25 years by announcer Howard Reig, with a recording of his voice used since his retirement two years ago.