Former President Donald Trump has ridiculed the former Republican National Committee (RNC) chair Ronna McDaniel on Truth Social twice after she was terminated by NBC News.
NBC News fired McDaniel as a political analyst just days after hiring her after a revolt among its anchors and staffers at the news division, who asked why a person who supported Trump’s false statements about the 2020 election was hired in the first place.
“Wow,” Trump wrote. “Ronna McDaniel got fired by Fake News NBC. She only lasted two days, and this after McDaniel went out of her way to say what they wanted to hear. It leaves her in a very strange place, it’s called Never Neverland, and it’s not a place you want to be.”
“These Radical Left Lunatics are Crazy, and the top people at NBC Are Weak,” the former president went on to say. “They were Broken and Embarrassed by Low Ratings,...
NBC News fired McDaniel as a political analyst just days after hiring her after a revolt among its anchors and staffers at the news division, who asked why a person who supported Trump’s false statements about the 2020 election was hired in the first place.
“Wow,” Trump wrote. “Ronna McDaniel got fired by Fake News NBC. She only lasted two days, and this after McDaniel went out of her way to say what they wanted to hear. It leaves her in a very strange place, it’s called Never Neverland, and it’s not a place you want to be.”
“These Radical Left Lunatics are Crazy, and the top people at NBC Are Weak,” the former president went on to say. “They were Broken and Embarrassed by Low Ratings,...
- 4/1/2024
- by Alessio Atria
- Uinterview
Tuesday was not a good day for Ronna McDaniel — or, is it Ronna Romney McDaniel again, as she now admits the 2020 election was not stolen? She went from a high-profile gig on NBC to no gig and no agent, as CAA also dropped her.
It was also a bad day for NBC News Group chairman Cesar Conde, who found it necessary to “personally apologize to our team members who felt we let them down.” Conde didn’t exactly fall on his sword by himself; he mentioned in his letter to staff that this was “a collective recommendation by some members of our leadership team.” But he acknowledged that the buck stopped with him.
At least McDaniel is getting a payout. So, no harm, no foul, right? Well, not exactly. This was hardly the simple loss of a job, as the fallout at NBC has made it impossible for her to...
It was also a bad day for NBC News Group chairman Cesar Conde, who found it necessary to “personally apologize to our team members who felt we let them down.” Conde didn’t exactly fall on his sword by himself; he mentioned in his letter to staff that this was “a collective recommendation by some members of our leadership team.” But he acknowledged that the buck stopped with him.
At least McDaniel is getting a payout. So, no harm, no foul, right? Well, not exactly. This was hardly the simple loss of a job, as the fallout at NBC has made it impossible for her to...
- 3/27/2024
- by Kim Masters
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
NBC News has terminated former Republican National Committee chair Ronna McDaniel as a political analyst just days after hiring her after an unprecedented revolt among its anchors and staffers at its news division, who questioned why a person who supported former President Donald Trump‘s false statements about the 2020 election was hired in the first place.
“There is no doubt that the last several days have been difficult for the News Group,” NBCUniversal News Group President Cesar Conde told staff in an email. “After listening to the legitimate concerns of many of you, I have decided that Ronna McDaniel will not be an NBC News contributor.”
“I want to personally apologize to our team members who felt we let them down,” Conde wrote. “While this was a collective recommendation by some members of our leadership team, I approved it and take full responsibility for it.”
In early March, McDaniel stepped...
“There is no doubt that the last several days have been difficult for the News Group,” NBCUniversal News Group President Cesar Conde told staff in an email. “After listening to the legitimate concerns of many of you, I have decided that Ronna McDaniel will not be an NBC News contributor.”
“I want to personally apologize to our team members who felt we let them down,” Conde wrote. “While this was a collective recommendation by some members of our leadership team, I approved it and take full responsibility for it.”
In early March, McDaniel stepped...
- 3/26/2024
- by Alessio Atria
- Uinterview
Ronna McDaniel. (Photo by Gage Skidmore)
Comcast’s NBC Universal has severed ties with former Republican National Committee Chairperson Ronna McDaniel and will no longer include her as an on-air contributor in news and political coverage, an executive affirmed in a memo on Tuesday.
The memo, written by NBC News Group Chairman Cesar Conde, said he made the key decision to move on from having McDaniel contribute to NBC News products following internal backlash from staffers who expressed concerns over her political leanings and, in particular, her defense of former President Donald Trump’s unsubstantiated claims of election fraud and interference.
Some of that internal strife spilled into the public when “Meet the Press” host Chuck Todd and MSNBC on-air columnist Rachel Maddow criticized the network’s hiring of McDaniel.
“The fact that McDaniel is on the payroll at NBC News — to me that is inexplicable,” Maddow said on her Monday evening commentary program,...
Comcast’s NBC Universal has severed ties with former Republican National Committee Chairperson Ronna McDaniel and will no longer include her as an on-air contributor in news and political coverage, an executive affirmed in a memo on Tuesday.
The memo, written by NBC News Group Chairman Cesar Conde, said he made the key decision to move on from having McDaniel contribute to NBC News products following internal backlash from staffers who expressed concerns over her political leanings and, in particular, her defense of former President Donald Trump’s unsubstantiated claims of election fraud and interference.
Some of that internal strife spilled into the public when “Meet the Press” host Chuck Todd and MSNBC on-air columnist Rachel Maddow criticized the network’s hiring of McDaniel.
“The fact that McDaniel is on the payroll at NBC News — to me that is inexplicable,” Maddow said on her Monday evening commentary program,...
- 3/26/2024
- by Matthew Keys
- The Desk
After just a few short days, and a whole lot of internal uproar, NBC News has backtracked on its decision to hire former RNC Chair Ronna McDaniel as a paid contributor.
NBCUniversal News Group Chairman Cesar Conde made the announcement in a memo and said he had made the decision after listening to “the legitimate concerns” of many network employees. “No organization, particularly a newsroom, can succeed unless it is cohesive and aligned,” he wrote. “Over the last few days, it has become clear that this appointment undermines that goal.
NBCUniversal News Group Chairman Cesar Conde made the announcement in a memo and said he had made the decision after listening to “the legitimate concerns” of many network employees. “No organization, particularly a newsroom, can succeed unless it is cohesive and aligned,” he wrote. “Over the last few days, it has become clear that this appointment undermines that goal.
- 3/26/2024
- by Jon Blistein
- Rollingstone.com
Ronna McDaniel is out at NBC News.
The former Republican National Committee chair was hired as a paid on-air contributor for the network, a move that received backlash from the network’s own anchors.
Rachel Maddow, Chuck Todd, Joy Reid, Nicolle Wallace, and Lawrence O’Donnell were among the MSNBC hosts who voiced their opposition to McDaniel‘s hire.
Morning Joe co-host Mika Brzeznski said, “To be clear, we believe NBC News should seek out conservative Republican voices to provide balance in their election coverage. But it should be conservative Republicans, not a person who used her position of power to be an anti-democracy election denier, and we hope NBC will reconsider its decision. It goes without saying that she will not be a guest on Morning Joe in her capacity as a paid contributor.”
Now, it has been announced that McDaniel has been dropped by NBC News.
Keep reading to find out more…...
The former Republican National Committee chair was hired as a paid on-air contributor for the network, a move that received backlash from the network’s own anchors.
Rachel Maddow, Chuck Todd, Joy Reid, Nicolle Wallace, and Lawrence O’Donnell were among the MSNBC hosts who voiced their opposition to McDaniel‘s hire.
Morning Joe co-host Mika Brzeznski said, “To be clear, we believe NBC News should seek out conservative Republican voices to provide balance in their election coverage. But it should be conservative Republicans, not a person who used her position of power to be an anti-democracy election denier, and we hope NBC will reconsider its decision. It goes without saying that she will not be a guest on Morning Joe in her capacity as a paid contributor.”
Now, it has been announced that McDaniel has been dropped by NBC News.
Keep reading to find out more…...
- 3/26/2024
- by Just Jared
- Just Jared
Ronna McDaniel is out at NBC News. The former Republican National Committee head has been let go just four days after it was announced that she’d been hired as a paid contributor — a position that reportedly would have earned her $300,000 a year.
NBCUniversal News Group chairman Cesar Conde announced the news to his staff via email on Tuesday, according to CNN alum Brian Stelter: “There is no doubt that the last several days have been difficult for the News Group. After listening to the legitimate concerns of many of you, I have decided that Ronna McDaniel will not be an NBC News contributor.
NBCUniversal News Group chairman Cesar Conde announced the news to his staff via email on Tuesday, according to CNN alum Brian Stelter: “There is no doubt that the last several days have been difficult for the News Group. After listening to the legitimate concerns of many of you, I have decided that Ronna McDaniel will not be an NBC News contributor.
- 3/26/2024
- by Matt Webb Mitovich
- TVLine.com
NBC News has cut ties with former RNC chair Ronna McDaniel, just days after she was announced as a paid analyst for the network. There had been a growing internal backlash at the division over her hire.
Meanwhile, CAA also has dropped McDaniel as a client, sources familiar with the situation tell Deadline.
A source also confirmed reports that McDaniel was seeking potential legal options for her next steps.
NBCUniversal News Group Chairman Cesar Conde made the announcement about McDaniel’s exit in an memo to staffers (see it in full below). In his missive, Conde took responsibility for what happened, but it was unclear whether there will be further repercussions.
“No organization, particularly a newsroom, can succeed unless it is cohesive and aligned. Over the last few days, it has become clear that this appointment undermines that goal,” Conde wrote in the memo.
He added, “I want to personally...
Meanwhile, CAA also has dropped McDaniel as a client, sources familiar with the situation tell Deadline.
A source also confirmed reports that McDaniel was seeking potential legal options for her next steps.
NBCUniversal News Group Chairman Cesar Conde made the announcement about McDaniel’s exit in an memo to staffers (see it in full below). In his missive, Conde took responsibility for what happened, but it was unclear whether there will be further repercussions.
“No organization, particularly a newsroom, can succeed unless it is cohesive and aligned. Over the last few days, it has become clear that this appointment undermines that goal,” Conde wrote in the memo.
He added, “I want to personally...
- 3/26/2024
- by Ted Johnson and Erik Pedersen
- Deadline Film + TV
NBC News has officially decided to part ways with its newest on-air contributor, Ronna McDaniel, the former Republican National Committee chair, just days after she was hired.
“After listening to the legitimate concerns of many of you, I have decided that Ronna McDaniel will not be an NBC News contributor,” NBC News Group chairman Cesar Conde wrote in a memo to staff Tuesday afternoon. “No organization, particularly a newsroom, can succeed unless it is cohesive and aligned. Over the last few days, it has become clear that this appointment undermines that goal.”
Separately, McDaniel has been dropped by CAA, the agency that repped her in the deal with the network, sources confirm to The Hollywood Reporter.
The former Republican National Committee chair was hired by NBC News on March 22 as an on-air contributor, and she made her NBC debut on Sunday’s edition of Meet the Press, where she was grilled by Kristen Welker.
“After listening to the legitimate concerns of many of you, I have decided that Ronna McDaniel will not be an NBC News contributor,” NBC News Group chairman Cesar Conde wrote in a memo to staff Tuesday afternoon. “No organization, particularly a newsroom, can succeed unless it is cohesive and aligned. Over the last few days, it has become clear that this appointment undermines that goal.”
Separately, McDaniel has been dropped by CAA, the agency that repped her in the deal with the network, sources confirm to The Hollywood Reporter.
The former Republican National Committee chair was hired by NBC News on March 22 as an on-air contributor, and she made her NBC debut on Sunday’s edition of Meet the Press, where she was grilled by Kristen Welker.
- 3/26/2024
- by Alex Weprin and Kim Masters
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The NBC News career of Ronna McDaniel, the former head of the Republican National Committee, has been ended before it had ever truly begun.
NBC News said Tuesday that it would cut ties with McDaniel after a phalanx of popular anchors rebelled against a decision to make her a political contributor who would offer commentary through the 2024 presidential election. NBC News executives had hoped to gain new insight to the thinking of the modern Republican party, but NBC News journalists could not stomach the prospect of putting McDaniel on air after she had helped former President Donald Trump in his efforts to undermine the integrity of the 2020 election, which was won by current officeholder Joe Biden.
“There is no doubt that the last several days have been difficult for the News Group. After listening to the legitimate concerns of many of you, I have decided that Ronna McDaniel will not be an NBC News contributor,...
NBC News said Tuesday that it would cut ties with McDaniel after a phalanx of popular anchors rebelled against a decision to make her a political contributor who would offer commentary through the 2024 presidential election. NBC News executives had hoped to gain new insight to the thinking of the modern Republican party, but NBC News journalists could not stomach the prospect of putting McDaniel on air after she had helped former President Donald Trump in his efforts to undermine the integrity of the 2020 election, which was won by current officeholder Joe Biden.
“There is no doubt that the last several days have been difficult for the News Group. After listening to the legitimate concerns of many of you, I have decided that Ronna McDaniel will not be an NBC News contributor,...
- 3/26/2024
- by Brian Steinberg
- Variety Film + TV
A long line of MSNBC’s most popular anchors spent Monday calling out the network’s corporate sibling, NBC News, for its hire of former Republican National Committee chair Ronna McDaniel in a stunning display of internal rifts laid bare on the TV screen.
The hire of McDaniel as a contributor is “inexplicable,” Rachel Maddow said on MSNBC Monday night as part of a half-hour commercial-free monologue that painted the former politico as one in a line of fascists and would-be usurpers who have tried to take over America’s political process. McDaniel, who during her time as RNC head helped former President Donald Trump in his efforts to nullify the 2020 presidential election, said Maddow, “is part of an ongoing project to get rid of our system of government.”
NBC News raised hackles late last week when it disclosed it had hired McDaniel as a political contributor. Within days, prominent...
The hire of McDaniel as a contributor is “inexplicable,” Rachel Maddow said on MSNBC Monday night as part of a half-hour commercial-free monologue that painted the former politico as one in a line of fascists and would-be usurpers who have tried to take over America’s political process. McDaniel, who during her time as RNC head helped former President Donald Trump in his efforts to nullify the 2020 presidential election, said Maddow, “is part of an ongoing project to get rid of our system of government.”
NBC News raised hackles late last week when it disclosed it had hired McDaniel as a political contributor. Within days, prominent...
- 3/26/2024
- by Brian Steinberg
- Variety Film + TV
Ronna McDaniel was supposed to be the new star contributor at NBC News. Now her position there is looking increasingly untenable.
NBC News hired the former Republican National Committee chief last week, betting that her recent access to the Trump campaign and Republican politicians would make her a valuable analyst as the 2024 election cycle intensified. But in recent days, her ability to do just that seems unclear. On Monday, Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski suggested on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” that NBC News reconsider its hire. A day earlier, Chuck Todd took to “Meet The Press” to chastise NBC News bosses for making moderator Kristen Welker conduct a news interview she had previously booked with McDaniel now that she was a paid operative of NBC and potentially less able to respond truthfully to hard questions.
It seems very likely that her position at NBC will remain in the news for the immediate future.
NBC News hired the former Republican National Committee chief last week, betting that her recent access to the Trump campaign and Republican politicians would make her a valuable analyst as the 2024 election cycle intensified. But in recent days, her ability to do just that seems unclear. On Monday, Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski suggested on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” that NBC News reconsider its hire. A day earlier, Chuck Todd took to “Meet The Press” to chastise NBC News bosses for making moderator Kristen Welker conduct a news interview she had previously booked with McDaniel now that she was a paid operative of NBC and potentially less able to respond truthfully to hard questions.
It seems very likely that her position at NBC will remain in the news for the immediate future.
- 3/25/2024
- by Brian Steinberg
- Variety Film + TV
Meet the Press Daily with Chuck Todd will move from MSNBC to the network streaming service NBC News Now.
Starting on June 6, his daily show will stream as Meet the Press Now, marking the latest effort to expand the offerings on the free platform.
Todd’s Meet the Press Daily, also known as Mtp Daily, had aired at 1 Pm Et each day, and will move to 4 Pm Et on NBC News Now. Chris Jansing will take over the 1 Pm hour starting on May 26 with MSNBC Reports.
The network also announced that senior investigative and consumer correspondent Vicky Nguyen would join Morgan Radford, NBC News correspondent, as co-host of NBC News Now Live from 11 Am to 1 Pm. Correspondent Aaron Gilchrist will anchor NBC News Now Live from 2 Pm to 4 Pm.
Todd has moderated Sunday’s Meet the Press, the longest running show in TV history, since 2014. He launched the spinoff Meet the Press Daily on MSNBC,...
Starting on June 6, his daily show will stream as Meet the Press Now, marking the latest effort to expand the offerings on the free platform.
Todd’s Meet the Press Daily, also known as Mtp Daily, had aired at 1 Pm Et each day, and will move to 4 Pm Et on NBC News Now. Chris Jansing will take over the 1 Pm hour starting on May 26 with MSNBC Reports.
The network also announced that senior investigative and consumer correspondent Vicky Nguyen would join Morgan Radford, NBC News correspondent, as co-host of NBC News Now Live from 11 Am to 1 Pm. Correspondent Aaron Gilchrist will anchor NBC News Now Live from 2 Pm to 4 Pm.
Todd has moderated Sunday’s Meet the Press, the longest running show in TV history, since 2014. He launched the spinoff Meet the Press Daily on MSNBC,...
- 5/6/2022
- by Ted Johnson
- Deadline Film + TV
Comcast’s NBC News Now is live on Sky U.K. this week and will launch on Virgin Media later this month, making the U.K. the first European territory to have the service on linear programming. The service will be ad-supported.
“The expansion into the U.K. is a natural place for NBC News Now to begin its international expansion ambitions,” Noah Oppenheim, NBC News president, told Variety. “The U.K. is NBC News’ largest market for digital audience outside North America and is a hub of our global news gathering operations and is the home of our NBC News International headquarters.”
The service enters a robust local news market served by local broadcasters BBC, Channel 4 and ITV and international providers including Al Jazeera and Euronews. Following the launch of its streaming service in 2021, CNN withdrew from Virgin Media, BT TV and Freesat but remained on Sky.
“There...
“The expansion into the U.K. is a natural place for NBC News Now to begin its international expansion ambitions,” Noah Oppenheim, NBC News president, told Variety. “The U.K. is NBC News’ largest market for digital audience outside North America and is a hub of our global news gathering operations and is the home of our NBC News International headquarters.”
The service enters a robust local news market served by local broadcasters BBC, Channel 4 and ITV and international providers including Al Jazeera and Euronews. Following the launch of its streaming service in 2021, CNN withdrew from Virgin Media, BT TV and Freesat but remained on Sky.
“There...
- 3/8/2022
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Symone Sanders, who last month departed as senior adviser and chief spokesperson for Vice President Kamala Harris, is joining MSNBC, where she will host on weekends and on the network’s Peacock streaming channel, The Choice from MSNBC.
Sanders’ is one of the first major hires by Rashida Jones, who coming up on a year in her role, as MSNBC’s president. She made the announcement to staff on Monday morning.
Sanders’ show will “explore issues at the intersection of politics, culture and race and break down how decisions made in Washington impact electorates, industries, and communities across the country,” the network said in its announcement. She also will interview elected and government officials.
Sanders also will serve as a fill in anchor on the network. The show title and launch date of Sanders’ shows have yet to be announced.
On The Choice from MSNBC, Sanders will join other figures such as Zerlina Maxwell,...
Sanders’ is one of the first major hires by Rashida Jones, who coming up on a year in her role, as MSNBC’s president. She made the announcement to staff on Monday morning.
Sanders’ show will “explore issues at the intersection of politics, culture and race and break down how decisions made in Washington impact electorates, industries, and communities across the country,” the network said in its announcement. She also will interview elected and government officials.
Sanders also will serve as a fill in anchor on the network. The show title and launch date of Sanders’ shows have yet to be announced.
On The Choice from MSNBC, Sanders will join other figures such as Zerlina Maxwell,...
- 1/10/2022
- by Ted Johnson
- Deadline Film + TV
MSNBC die-hards tune in partially because they know what they can expect on most evenings: Rachel Maddow will do her 22 minutes of connecting-the-dots news-cycle analysis at 9 p.m., and Brian Williams will wrap up the day with a vast array of knowledgeable experts at 11.
Starting next year, however, fans — and even the executives who run the place — can’t be sure what they’re going to get.
Williams announced Tuesday that he will walk away from MSNBC and NBC News after a near three-decade run, while Maddow is negotiating over a new production deal that could result in a significant scaling back of her primetime duties. The NBCUniversal-owned cable-news network needs to decide by the end of the year what they want to put in the slot currently known as “The 11th Hour,” and likely by May of next year, how they might replace Maddow in their primetime lineup.
Starting next year, however, fans — and even the executives who run the place — can’t be sure what they’re going to get.
Williams announced Tuesday that he will walk away from MSNBC and NBC News after a near three-decade run, while Maddow is negotiating over a new production deal that could result in a significant scaling back of her primetime duties. The NBCUniversal-owned cable-news network needs to decide by the end of the year what they want to put in the slot currently known as “The 11th Hour,” and likely by May of next year, how they might replace Maddow in their primetime lineup.
- 11/10/2021
- by Brian Steinberg
- Variety Film + TV
NBC News Now announced fall debuts for new weeknight shows with Tom Llamas, Hallie Jackson and Joshua Johnson, as NBCU News Group adding 200 new positions to boost streaming and digital.
NBC News Now also will add original programming to its weekend lineup in the first quarter next year, and will begin international distribution later this year.
The expansion follows 70 recent hires. The majority of the 200 new positions will be dedicated to NBC News Now.
“This investment and these new hires will also help support our journalism efforts by adding significant staffing resources across our digital brands, including doubling the Today newsroom, growing NBC News’ successful breaking news and beat reporting, expanding the MSNBC digital footprint, and continuing the momentum of our commerce efforts and CNBC Pro,” Cesar Conde, chairman of NBCU News Group, said in memo to staffers.
Llamas, senior national correspondent, will anchor a primetime news program, and Jackson,...
NBC News Now also will add original programming to its weekend lineup in the first quarter next year, and will begin international distribution later this year.
The expansion follows 70 recent hires. The majority of the 200 new positions will be dedicated to NBC News Now.
“This investment and these new hires will also help support our journalism efforts by adding significant staffing resources across our digital brands, including doubling the Today newsroom, growing NBC News’ successful breaking news and beat reporting, expanding the MSNBC digital footprint, and continuing the momentum of our commerce efforts and CNBC Pro,” Cesar Conde, chairman of NBCU News Group, said in memo to staffers.
Llamas, senior national correspondent, will anchor a primetime news program, and Jackson,...
- 7/27/2021
- by Ted Johnson
- Deadline Film + TV
NBCUniversal News Group announced Tuesday some major pushes to beef up the "NBC News Now" streaming service, including the hiring of 200 staffers.
"Several new hours of live, original programming" will be added to "NBC News Now," which launched in 2019. The programming will feature NBC News talent including Tom Llamas, Hallie Jackson and Joshua Jackson. Moreover, NBCUniversal News Group plans to distribute the streamer internationally.
In recent months, "Now" has averaged over 44 million views and 14 million hours watched per month.
Llamas, the network's senior national correspondent, will anchor a daily primetime news program, while Hallie Jackson, the senior Washington correspondent, will anchor a daily evening show and weekly special newsmagazine serious. Joshua Jackson will anchor an evening news analysis and explainer program.
The weekday changes are expected through the fall, and the live, original weekend programming will debut in the first quarter of 2022.
“When we combine the power of our portfolio,...
"Several new hours of live, original programming" will be added to "NBC News Now," which launched in 2019. The programming will feature NBC News talent including Tom Llamas, Hallie Jackson and Joshua Jackson. Moreover, NBCUniversal News Group plans to distribute the streamer internationally.
In recent months, "Now" has averaged over 44 million views and 14 million hours watched per month.
Llamas, the network's senior national correspondent, will anchor a daily primetime news program, while Hallie Jackson, the senior Washington correspondent, will anchor a daily evening show and weekly special newsmagazine serious. Joshua Jackson will anchor an evening news analysis and explainer program.
The weekday changes are expected through the fall, and the live, original weekend programming will debut in the first quarter of 2022.
“When we combine the power of our portfolio,...
- 7/27/2021
- by Lindsey Ellefson
- The Wrap
NBCU News Group is adding 200 new positions in a major expansion of its streaming and digital operations.
Describing the growth spurt as a “substantial investment,” the NBCU division did not put figures to it but said it would result in several new hours of live, original programming on NBC News Now. The streaming outlet, launched in 2019, now averages 44 million views and 14 million hours watched per month, the company said.
NBC News Now’s expanded programming lineup will debut this fall. Among the new offerings will be a daily, primetime news program anchored by senior national correspondent Tom Llamas. Senior Washington correspondent and anchor Hallie Jackson will host a daily evening show and a weekly special newsmagazine series, and anchor Joshua Johnson will host an evening news analysis and explainer program.
In addition to launching NBC News Now, NBCU News Group also debuted Today All Day and The Choice from MSNBC...
Describing the growth spurt as a “substantial investment,” the NBCU division did not put figures to it but said it would result in several new hours of live, original programming on NBC News Now. The streaming outlet, launched in 2019, now averages 44 million views and 14 million hours watched per month, the company said.
NBC News Now’s expanded programming lineup will debut this fall. Among the new offerings will be a daily, primetime news program anchored by senior national correspondent Tom Llamas. Senior Washington correspondent and anchor Hallie Jackson will host a daily evening show and a weekly special newsmagazine series, and anchor Joshua Johnson will host an evening news analysis and explainer program.
In addition to launching NBC News Now, NBCU News Group also debuted Today All Day and The Choice from MSNBC...
- 7/27/2021
- by Dade Hayes
- Deadline Film + TV
Seven filmmakers’ projects will each receive $45,000 as part of the inaugural Original Voices Fellowships launched by NBCU Academy and NBC News Studios.
The recipients also will receive a one-year fellowship to support their feature-length nonfiction film projects. That includes access to archive research, mentorships, story and edit consultations and distribution strategy expertise. They also will get marketing and publicity guidance and production resources.
NBCU Academy was launched as part of NBCUniversal News Group Chairman Cesar Conde’s Fifty Percent Challenge Initiative, with the goal of an employee base of 50% women and 50% people of color.
The recipients include:
Bloodthicker, directed by Zac Manuel and produced by Chris Haney: The documentary, filmed over four years, is about three childhood friends, all young musicians, navigating adulthood while living in the shadows of their famous fathers.
Hummingbirds, directed by Silvia Castaños, Estefania Contreras, Miguel Drake McLaughlin, Diane Ng, Ana Rodriguez-Falco, Jillian Schlesinger, and produced by Leslie Benavides,...
The recipients also will receive a one-year fellowship to support their feature-length nonfiction film projects. That includes access to archive research, mentorships, story and edit consultations and distribution strategy expertise. They also will get marketing and publicity guidance and production resources.
NBCU Academy was launched as part of NBCUniversal News Group Chairman Cesar Conde’s Fifty Percent Challenge Initiative, with the goal of an employee base of 50% women and 50% people of color.
The recipients include:
Bloodthicker, directed by Zac Manuel and produced by Chris Haney: The documentary, filmed over four years, is about three childhood friends, all young musicians, navigating adulthood while living in the shadows of their famous fathers.
Hummingbirds, directed by Silvia Castaños, Estefania Contreras, Miguel Drake McLaughlin, Diane Ng, Ana Rodriguez-Falco, Jillian Schlesinger, and produced by Leslie Benavides,...
- 6/16/2021
- by Ted Johnson
- Deadline Film + TV
MSNBC has scheduled a Sunday evening version of The Mehdi Hasan Show, which debuted weeknights last year on the streaming service Peacock.
The show will air on MSNBC from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. Et. It will fill the first hour of The Week with Joshua Johnson, which will continue at 9 p.m. Johnson also hosts from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturdays.
Hasan was a senior columnist and host of the podcast Deconstructed at The Intercept, and was previously a political commentator and presenter at Al Jazeera English. His show debuted on Oct. 5 on Peacock and streams on weeknights live from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. His segments have included ones devoted to the Capitol siege as well as A Pandemic Special Report: 50 Lives.
Cesar Conde, chairman of NBCUniversal News Group, last summer announced a diversity priority of 50 percent of news organization employees to be women and 50 percent...
The show will air on MSNBC from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. Et. It will fill the first hour of The Week with Joshua Johnson, which will continue at 9 p.m. Johnson also hosts from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturdays.
Hasan was a senior columnist and host of the podcast Deconstructed at The Intercept, and was previously a political commentator and presenter at Al Jazeera English. His show debuted on Oct. 5 on Peacock and streams on weeknights live from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. His segments have included ones devoted to the Capitol siege as well as A Pandemic Special Report: 50 Lives.
Cesar Conde, chairman of NBCUniversal News Group, last summer announced a diversity priority of 50 percent of news organization employees to be women and 50 percent...
- 2/25/2021
- by Ted Johnson
- Deadline Film + TV
NBCUniversal News Group will invest $6.5 million over the next two years in NBCU Academy, a new multiplatform journalism training and development program for four-year university and community college students. The initiative includes $3.5 million in scholarships, the company, a division of Comcast, announced Thursday.
The program includes on-campus and online training, hands-on instruction from NBCU journalists, equipment and funding for accredited journalism programs. Its 17 academic partners include Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Hispanic-serving institutions and colleges with significant Latino, Asian American and Pacific Islander, Black, Indigenous and tribal populations. The goal is to reach students from underrepresented groups and diverse racial, economic and geographic backgrounds.
“Creating an inclusive culture for journalism that represents the communities we serve is at the very core of what we do,” said NBCU News Group chairman Cesar Conde. “Through NBCU Academy, we have the opportunity to widen our extraordinary legacy by building on-ramps for a talented...
The program includes on-campus and online training, hands-on instruction from NBCU journalists, equipment and funding for accredited journalism programs. Its 17 academic partners include Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Hispanic-serving institutions and colleges with significant Latino, Asian American and Pacific Islander, Black, Indigenous and tribal populations. The goal is to reach students from underrepresented groups and diverse racial, economic and geographic backgrounds.
“Creating an inclusive culture for journalism that represents the communities we serve is at the very core of what we do,” said NBCU News Group chairman Cesar Conde. “Through NBCU Academy, we have the opportunity to widen our extraordinary legacy by building on-ramps for a talented...
- 1/14/2021
- by Jill Goldsmith
- Deadline Film + TV
NBCUniversal News Group wants to broaden the range of faces viewers see behind the anchor desk when they tune in for the latest information about the world.
The NBCU unit, which encompasses NBC News, MSNBC and CNBC, is launching NBCU Academy, a journalism training and development program for four-year university and community college students that utilizes hands-on experiences with the company’s journalists, as well as funding. NBCU is teaming up with 17 different academic institutions, including those that tend to serve Black, Latino, Asian American, Pacific Islander, indigenous and tribal students.
“Our hope is that this is a pipeline for the entire industry,” says Cesar Conde, chairman of NBCUniversal News Group, in an interview. “We started the NBCU Academy to help bring more people into the industry from communities that may have been overlooked in the past.”
The executive, who took the reins of NBCU’s news operations in May of last year,...
The NBCU unit, which encompasses NBC News, MSNBC and CNBC, is launching NBCU Academy, a journalism training and development program for four-year university and community college students that utilizes hands-on experiences with the company’s journalists, as well as funding. NBCU is teaming up with 17 different academic institutions, including those that tend to serve Black, Latino, Asian American, Pacific Islander, indigenous and tribal students.
“Our hope is that this is a pipeline for the entire industry,” says Cesar Conde, chairman of NBCUniversal News Group, in an interview. “We started the NBCU Academy to help bring more people into the industry from communities that may have been overlooked in the past.”
The executive, who took the reins of NBCU’s news operations in May of last year,...
- 1/14/2021
- by Brian Steinberg
- Variety Film + TV
Comcast CEO Brian said Peacock signups have surged 50% in six weeks and the app is the second most popular on its Ott product Xfinity Flex behind Netflix, and number three on Xfinity X1 behind Netflix and YouTube.
Peacock launched in April for Comcast customers and nationally in mid-July.
In a wide-ranging conversation at a media conference put on virtually by Goldman Sachs, the chief executive of NBC Universal parent said film and TV production is ramping up allowing the NBC to unveil a fall schedule in November and a strong slate of films 2021, a number of which have been pushed from this year. The ad market has picked up and the company is looking at two Olympic Games over the next 18 months. Roberts said that theme parks remain the biggest pain point in a Covid-19 world. Two of three park are opened and customer satisfaction is high, he said, but...
Peacock launched in April for Comcast customers and nationally in mid-July.
In a wide-ranging conversation at a media conference put on virtually by Goldman Sachs, the chief executive of NBC Universal parent said film and TV production is ramping up allowing the NBC to unveil a fall schedule in November and a strong slate of films 2021, a number of which have been pushed from this year. The ad market has picked up and the company is looking at two Olympic Games over the next 18 months. Roberts said that theme parks remain the biggest pain point in a Covid-19 world. Two of three park are opened and customer satisfaction is high, he said, but...
- 9/15/2020
- by Jill Goldsmith
- Deadline Film + TV
NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises has promoted executive vice president Beau Ferrari to chairman, replacing Cesar Conde, the new chairman of NBCUniversal News Group.
Ferrari has stepped up with immediate effect and will report to Mark Lazarus, chairman of NBCUniversal Television and Streaming. He will be tasked with carrying on the good work of Conde, who led Telemundo’s rise in the prime-time Spanish-language ratings after decades of dominance by Univision.
Lazarus said: “Beau is a strong leader with extraordinary business acumen and deep media experience across all media platforms and the Hispanic market. During his three years with the company, he has made a tremendous impact as Telemundo became one of NBCUniversal’s fastest-growing businesses.”
Ferrari added: “It’s an incredible honor to lead the talented team at Telemundo Enterprises, particularly at a time when there is so much momentum in this business.”
He has been Telemundo’s EVP since 2017 and prior to joining the company,...
Ferrari has stepped up with immediate effect and will report to Mark Lazarus, chairman of NBCUniversal Television and Streaming. He will be tasked with carrying on the good work of Conde, who led Telemundo’s rise in the prime-time Spanish-language ratings after decades of dominance by Univision.
Lazarus said: “Beau is a strong leader with extraordinary business acumen and deep media experience across all media platforms and the Hispanic market. During his three years with the company, he has made a tremendous impact as Telemundo became one of NBCUniversal’s fastest-growing businesses.”
Ferrari added: “It’s an incredible honor to lead the talented team at Telemundo Enterprises, particularly at a time when there is so much momentum in this business.”
He has been Telemundo’s EVP since 2017 and prior to joining the company,...
- 7/20/2020
- by Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
NBCUniversal has named Beau Ferrari chairman of Telemundo Enterprises.
Ferrari succeeds Cesar Conde, who was recently named chairman of NBCUniversal News Group. Ferrari has been with Telemundo since 2017, where he was most recently executive vice president in charge of the company’s operations, financial performance, corporate strategy and development for the portfolio of businesses.
“Beau is a strong leader with extraordinary business acumen and deep media experience across all media platforms and the Hispanic market. During his three years with the company, he has made a tremendous impact as Telemundo became one of NBCUniversal’s fastest-growing businesses,” said Mark Lazarus, chairman of NBCU Television and Streaming. “Beau is ideally suited to seamlessly take over the reins of Telemundo and build on its phenomenal success.”
Also Read: NBC News Boss Pledges to Make Staff 50% Women, 50% People of Color - But No Timetable
Prior to joining NBCUniversal, Ferrari held various senior executive positions with Univision Communications Inc.
Ferrari succeeds Cesar Conde, who was recently named chairman of NBCUniversal News Group. Ferrari has been with Telemundo since 2017, where he was most recently executive vice president in charge of the company’s operations, financial performance, corporate strategy and development for the portfolio of businesses.
“Beau is a strong leader with extraordinary business acumen and deep media experience across all media platforms and the Hispanic market. During his three years with the company, he has made a tremendous impact as Telemundo became one of NBCUniversal’s fastest-growing businesses,” said Mark Lazarus, chairman of NBCU Television and Streaming. “Beau is ideally suited to seamlessly take over the reins of Telemundo and build on its phenomenal success.”
Also Read: NBC News Boss Pledges to Make Staff 50% Women, 50% People of Color - But No Timetable
Prior to joining NBCUniversal, Ferrari held various senior executive positions with Univision Communications Inc.
- 7/20/2020
- by Tim Baysinger
- The Wrap
Beau Ferrari has been promoted to the role of Chairman of NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises, succeeding Cesar Conde who departed to head up NBCUniversal News Group in May.
In his new role, Ferrari will oversee the company’s media portfolio which includes the Telemundo broadcast network. He will report to directly to NBCUniversal Television and Streaming chairman Mark Lazarus, and direct a substantial portfolio within NBCU which also comprises entertainment, sports, news, cable, global studios and 30 local stations.
“Beau is a strong leader with extraordinary business acumen and deep media experience across all media platforms and the Hispanic market. During his three years with the company, he has made a tremendous impact as Telemundo became one of NBCUniversal’s fastest-growing businesses,” said Lazarus. He added, “Beau is ideally suited to seamlessly take over the reins of Telemundo and build on its phenomenal success.”
Ferrari has served as executive vice president of...
In his new role, Ferrari will oversee the company’s media portfolio which includes the Telemundo broadcast network. He will report to directly to NBCUniversal Television and Streaming chairman Mark Lazarus, and direct a substantial portfolio within NBCU which also comprises entertainment, sports, news, cable, global studios and 30 local stations.
“Beau is a strong leader with extraordinary business acumen and deep media experience across all media platforms and the Hispanic market. During his three years with the company, he has made a tremendous impact as Telemundo became one of NBCUniversal’s fastest-growing businesses,” said Lazarus. He added, “Beau is ideally suited to seamlessly take over the reins of Telemundo and build on its phenomenal success.”
Ferrari has served as executive vice president of...
- 7/20/2020
- by Will Thorne
- Variety Film + TV
NBCUniversal has named Beau Ferrari chairman of Telemundo Enterprises, succeeding Cesar Conde, who was promoted to the role of chairman of NBCUniversal News Group in May.
Ferrari has been executive vp of Telemundo since 2017, overseeing operations, finance and strategy. Before joining Telemundo he was a senior executive at Univision. In his new role he will report to Mark Lazarus, chairman of NBCUniversal television and streaming. Telemundo's holdings include the Spanish-language broadcast network, 30 local stations, as well as sports, news and cable TV businesses.
“Beau is a strong leader with extraordinary business acumen and deep media experience ...
Ferrari has been executive vp of Telemundo since 2017, overseeing operations, finance and strategy. Before joining Telemundo he was a senior executive at Univision. In his new role he will report to Mark Lazarus, chairman of NBCUniversal television and streaming. Telemundo's holdings include the Spanish-language broadcast network, 30 local stations, as well as sports, news and cable TV businesses.
“Beau is a strong leader with extraordinary business acumen and deep media experience ...
- 7/20/2020
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
The new head of NBCUniversal’s news operations pledged to make the workforce that staffs NBC News, MSNBC and CNBC more diverse, calling for the unit’s employee base to be 50% female and 50% people of color over an undefined period of time.
“The demographics of America have been changing for decades… and that change is accelerating. Women today make up nearly half of the American work force and already earn well over half of all bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees. This year, for the first time, a majority of Americans aged 18 or younger, will be people of color. In twenty years, more than half of all Americans, will be people of color,’ said Cesar Conde, who was named chairman of NBCU’s News Group in May “The NBCUniversal News Group is not going to wait for change to happen and just react to it. We’re going to lead.
“The demographics of America have been changing for decades… and that change is accelerating. Women today make up nearly half of the American work force and already earn well over half of all bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees. This year, for the first time, a majority of Americans aged 18 or younger, will be people of color. In twenty years, more than half of all Americans, will be people of color,’ said Cesar Conde, who was named chairman of NBCU’s News Group in May “The NBCUniversal News Group is not going to wait for change to happen and just react to it. We’re going to lead.
- 7/7/2020
- by Brian Steinberg
- Variety Film + TV
Cesar Conde, the new chairman of NBCUniversal News Group, outlined a workforce goal of 50% diversity on Tuesday, telling employees that as “a news organization we have a unique responsibility to reflect the country and all of the communities we serve.”
“The NBCUniversal News Group is not going to wait for change to happen and just react to it. We’re going to lead,” he said in a video to employees on Tuesday. “As a news organization, we have a unique responsibility to look like and reflect all of the people of the country we serve.”
He said that the goal is for 50% of the news organization employees to be women and 50% of their total workforce be people of color, with plans to boost recruitment and education programs and to invest in more documentaries and investigative content focusing on communities of color. The 50% goal is long term, with no exact date set to reach it,...
“The NBCUniversal News Group is not going to wait for change to happen and just react to it. We’re going to lead,” he said in a video to employees on Tuesday. “As a news organization, we have a unique responsibility to look like and reflect all of the people of the country we serve.”
He said that the goal is for 50% of the news organization employees to be women and 50% of their total workforce be people of color, with plans to boost recruitment and education programs and to invest in more documentaries and investigative content focusing on communities of color. The 50% goal is long term, with no exact date set to reach it,...
- 7/7/2020
- by Ted Johnson
- Deadline Film + TV
NBCUniversal News Group Chairman Cesar Conde on Tuesday pledged to create a more diverse staff, setting a goal of 50% female staff and 50% people of color but without a clear timetable to reach that aim.
It’s not immediately clear how soon Conde hopes to reach his diversity goal. Nearly half of the news division’s 3,000 employees are women, Conde said in a video message accompanying a memo to staff, while 26.5% are people of color — among them, 8% are Black, 8% are Hispanic, 8% are Asian, 2% are multiracial and less than 1% are Native American.
“We want to increase diversity and inclusion both in front of and behind the camera, and earn the trust of every community in America that relies on us for exceptional journalism,” Conde said in the video. “We realize that this is an ambitious objective and it will of course take time to do in a proper way. We understand this...
It’s not immediately clear how soon Conde hopes to reach his diversity goal. Nearly half of the news division’s 3,000 employees are women, Conde said in a video message accompanying a memo to staff, while 26.5% are people of color — among them, 8% are Black, 8% are Hispanic, 8% are Asian, 2% are multiracial and less than 1% are Native American.
“We want to increase diversity and inclusion both in front of and behind the camera, and earn the trust of every community in America that relies on us for exceptional journalism,” Conde said in the video. “We realize that this is an ambitious objective and it will of course take time to do in a proper way. We understand this...
- 7/7/2020
- by J. Clara Chan
- The Wrap
His credentials seemed impeccable. He was 60, a Yale graduate, a former studio chief, a gifted dealmaker and now a newly named company president. But there were a few clouds: He was also a convicted embezzler, a compulsive gambler and his Yale degree was bogus.
This was 1981 and David Begelman, the new boss of MGM, was in many ways representative of the executives who were running Hollywood in that period – men who compulsively operated on the margin.
The cast of characters of that generation would not have been comfortable in the same room with the corporate soldiers who are presently taking their seats at the CEO table – Jason Kilar (WarnerMedia), Bob Chapek (Disney), Jeff Shell (NBCUniversal), et al. All came armed with Harvard MBAs and have already proved their management skills at various corporate levels: Kiler built Hulu. Chapek ran the world’s biggest theme parks. Shell built a giant global distribution machine.
This was 1981 and David Begelman, the new boss of MGM, was in many ways representative of the executives who were running Hollywood in that period – men who compulsively operated on the margin.
The cast of characters of that generation would not have been comfortable in the same room with the corporate soldiers who are presently taking their seats at the CEO table – Jason Kilar (WarnerMedia), Bob Chapek (Disney), Jeff Shell (NBCUniversal), et al. All came armed with Harvard MBAs and have already proved their management skills at various corporate levels: Kiler built Hulu. Chapek ran the world’s biggest theme parks. Shell built a giant global distribution machine.
- 6/25/2020
- by Peter Bart
- Deadline Film + TV
Thanks to a multibillion-dollar defamation lawsuit filed today from a direct-to-consumer teeth-straightening company, Cesar Conde won’t be getting much of a honeymoon as the newly installed chief of the newly formed NBCUniversal News Group.
“SmileDirectClub gave NBC every opportunity to retract this defamatory report and correct the record voluntarily,” said the action against NBCUniversal Media LLC and reporter Vicky Nguyen that hit the docket in the Tennessee courts on Monday from the teledentistry organization over a critical February report from NBC News. “NBC chose not to so,” says the $2.85 billion-seeking suit (read it here).
“At that point, the company had no choice but to bring this lawsuit to defend its brand and the reputation of hundreds of doctors who are using SmileDirectClub’s telehealth platform to treat patients every day,” the Benesch, Friedlander, Coplan & Aronoff-represented company adds in its jury-demanding filing. “With this lawsuit, SmileDirectClub is not just holding NBC accountable for its misconduct,...
“SmileDirectClub gave NBC every opportunity to retract this defamatory report and correct the record voluntarily,” said the action against NBCUniversal Media LLC and reporter Vicky Nguyen that hit the docket in the Tennessee courts on Monday from the teledentistry organization over a critical February report from NBC News. “NBC chose not to so,” says the $2.85 billion-seeking suit (read it here).
“At that point, the company had no choice but to bring this lawsuit to defend its brand and the reputation of hundreds of doctors who are using SmileDirectClub’s telehealth platform to treat patients every day,” the Benesch, Friedlander, Coplan & Aronoff-represented company adds in its jury-demanding filing. “With this lawsuit, SmileDirectClub is not just holding NBC accountable for its misconduct,...
- 5/18/2020
- by Dominic Patten
- Deadline Film + TV
Dog didn’t bite man again this year, as Spanish-language giant Univision won its incredible 28th* straight season vs. Telemundo in TV ratings. Notice the asterisk on that 28-year mark? We’re not hedging against that claim — the streak is probably longer but Nielsen didn’t measure Univision and Telemundo until November 1992. While Telemundo has certainly closed the gap with its Goliath competition in recent years and network chief Cesar Conde’s just earned a promotion as the new head of all of NBCUniversal’s news operations, this season’s ratings race isn’t a thisclose situation. In Monday through Sunday primetime, Univision bested Telemundo by the largest margins since the 2015-16 season. That holds true for both the advertiser-coveted adults 18-49 demographic (a +23% gap) and among total viewers (+32%). It is worth noting here that in recent years, Telemundo has touted weeknight (Monday-Friday) primetime wins among adults 18-49, thanks in...
- 5/15/2020
- by Tony Maglio
- The Wrap
Jeff Shell wants a break.
The new NBCUniversal CEO, who took over the role from Steve Burke earlier this year, made one thing clear May 4 when he shook up his company’s senior ranks: He wants to cut ties to structures that might slow down the massive Comcast-backed media conglomerate as it’s trying to compete in a complex new world. That means putting multiple controversies that have erupted at NBC News in the past — even as fresh word surfaces of a recent investigation of activity there by the New York attorney general’s office — and restructuring the company for the streaming wars that lie ahead.
Shell’s new NBCU puts all of the company’s news operations — NBC News, MSNBC and CNBC — together for the first time in several years under the aegis of a traditional corporate manager, not someone tied to the newsroom. And it consolidates the...
The new NBCUniversal CEO, who took over the role from Steve Burke earlier this year, made one thing clear May 4 when he shook up his company’s senior ranks: He wants to cut ties to structures that might slow down the massive Comcast-backed media conglomerate as it’s trying to compete in a complex new world. That means putting multiple controversies that have erupted at NBC News in the past — even as fresh word surfaces of a recent investigation of activity there by the New York attorney general’s office — and restructuring the company for the streaming wars that lie ahead.
Shell’s new NBCU puts all of the company’s news operations — NBC News, MSNBC and CNBC — together for the first time in several years under the aegis of a traditional corporate manager, not someone tied to the newsroom. And it consolidates the...
- 5/6/2020
- by Brian Steinberg and Elaine Low
- Variety Film + TV
New York Attorney General Investigated NBC News, Per Reports; Network Says It’s Not Aware Of Inquiry
An NBCUniversal spokesperson said the company is not aware of any inquiry by the New York’s attorney general into allegations of sexual harassment, retaliation and gender discrimination.
The Daily Mail and Variety reported on an investigation on Tuesday, one day after it was announced that Andrew Lack, chairman of NBC News and MSNBC, would be departing the network at the end of the month.
Former NBC News anchor Linda Vester told the Daily Mail that she was one of the women who was interviewed as part of the investigation, and she said they wanted to know about any involvement that Lack had in claims of retaliation. In 2018, Vester accused NBC News stalwart Tom Brokaw of making unwanted sexual advances, something that he denied.
Variety spoke to three women, including Vester, who say they were questioned by the office, and it reported that a number of others also were interviewed.
The Daily Mail and Variety reported on an investigation on Tuesday, one day after it was announced that Andrew Lack, chairman of NBC News and MSNBC, would be departing the network at the end of the month.
Former NBC News anchor Linda Vester told the Daily Mail that she was one of the women who was interviewed as part of the investigation, and she said they wanted to know about any involvement that Lack had in claims of retaliation. In 2018, Vester accused NBC News stalwart Tom Brokaw of making unwanted sexual advances, something that he denied.
Variety spoke to three women, including Vester, who say they were questioned by the office, and it reported that a number of others also were interviewed.
- 5/5/2020
- by The Deadline Team
- Deadline Film + TV
Noah Oppenheim was primed to gain oversight of all the operations of NBC News and MSNBC. Instead he has a new boss with those very responsibilities – and more.
Oppenheim was named president of NBC News in February of 2017 and had been cited publicly by former NBCUniversal CEO Steve Burke as his choice to succeed Andy Lack, the chairman of MSNBC and NBC News. He rose quickly through the ranks thanks to his touch with the company’s venerable “Today” morning franchise, which has become newsier and more direct under his watch. His “Today” captures the bulk of viewers between 25 and 54, the audience most coveted by advertisers, beating rival “Good Morning America” at ABC. And that in turn helped the program’s first two hours snare $332 million in advertising in 2018, according to ad-tracker Standard Media Index.
But NBCU has a new CEO, Jeff Shell, and on Monday, he decided to re-organize...
Oppenheim was named president of NBC News in February of 2017 and had been cited publicly by former NBCUniversal CEO Steve Burke as his choice to succeed Andy Lack, the chairman of MSNBC and NBC News. He rose quickly through the ranks thanks to his touch with the company’s venerable “Today” morning franchise, which has become newsier and more direct under his watch. His “Today” captures the bulk of viewers between 25 and 54, the audience most coveted by advertisers, beating rival “Good Morning America” at ABC. And that in turn helped the program’s first two hours snare $332 million in advertising in 2018, according to ad-tracker Standard Media Index.
But NBCU has a new CEO, Jeff Shell, and on Monday, he decided to re-organize...
- 5/5/2020
- by Brian Steinberg
- Variety Film + TV
A group of top NBC Universal executives will take a 20% cut in salary as part of a broad set of cost saving initiatives to offset the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. Other employees who make over $100,000 will take a 3% cut that’s a rollback of sorts following a raise in March, the CEO of the Comcast-owned entertainment giant Jeff Shell said Tuesday.
The top executives are part of Shell’s executive committee, which includes his direct reports.
On April 1, Comcast chairman-ceo Brian Roberts said he and Comcast’s top five executives including Shell had chosen to donate 100% of their salaries to charities that support Covid-19 relief efforts “for the duration of this situation.”
Comcast also commited then to establish a $500 million fund to support employees with continued pay and benefits. So far theme parks have been hardest hit. On April 9, the company announced plans to reduce the pay of...
The top executives are part of Shell’s executive committee, which includes his direct reports.
On April 1, Comcast chairman-ceo Brian Roberts said he and Comcast’s top five executives including Shell had chosen to donate 100% of their salaries to charities that support Covid-19 relief efforts “for the duration of this situation.”
Comcast also commited then to establish a $500 million fund to support employees with continued pay and benefits. So far theme parks have been hardest hit. On April 9, the company announced plans to reduce the pay of...
- 5/5/2020
- by Jill Goldsmith
- Deadline Film + TV
Just a day after Comcast’s NBCUniversal announced a reorganization of its executive ranks, the conglomerate said that senior leaders who comprise the executive committee, reporting directly to CEO Jeff Shell, will be reducing their salaries by 20% amid the ongoing coronavirus outbreak.
“While we do not believe in a one-size-fits-all approach, we do plan to take a couple of actions across the entire company,” said Shell in an email to employees. “As a first step, the senior leaders who comprise the Executive Committee have volunteered to take a 20% reduction to their salaries. We also plan to roll back the most recent salary increases for our exempt employees who have salaries in excess of $100,000. For the vast majority of you, this means reversing the recent merit increase that just went into effect in early March.”
For most employees, that merit bump marked a 3% increase, a source close to the situation tells Variety.
“While we do not believe in a one-size-fits-all approach, we do plan to take a couple of actions across the entire company,” said Shell in an email to employees. “As a first step, the senior leaders who comprise the Executive Committee have volunteered to take a 20% reduction to their salaries. We also plan to roll back the most recent salary increases for our exempt employees who have salaries in excess of $100,000. For the vast majority of you, this means reversing the recent merit increase that just went into effect in early March.”
For most employees, that merit bump marked a 3% increase, a source close to the situation tells Variety.
- 5/5/2020
- by Elaine Low
- Variety Film + TV
The New York attorney general’s office late last year launched an investigation into allegations of sexual harassment, retaliation and gender discrimination at NBC News, Variety has learned. NBC News chief Andrew Lack and former “Hardball” host Chris Matthews were among multiple high-ranking executives and newsroom talents whose behavior was the subject of questioning, according to multiple sources.
Among those who cooperated with the investigation by providing testimony was Megyn Kelly, an individual close to the former “Today” host told Variety. Kelly declined to comment.
News of the investigation followed the surprise announcement Monday that Lack would depart the company months ahead of a planned retirement.
Variety has spoken directly to three women who were interviewed by the New York attorney general’s office, and has knowledge of three additional people who were brought in for questioning. Well-placed sources who were present for questioning at the attorney general’s office...
Among those who cooperated with the investigation by providing testimony was Megyn Kelly, an individual close to the former “Today” host told Variety. Kelly declined to comment.
News of the investigation followed the surprise announcement Monday that Lack would depart the company months ahead of a planned retirement.
Variety has spoken directly to three women who were interviewed by the New York attorney general’s office, and has knowledge of three additional people who were brought in for questioning. Well-placed sources who were present for questioning at the attorney general’s office...
- 5/5/2020
- by Elizabeth Wagmeister
- Variety Film + TV
The sudden ascension of Telemundo’s Cesar Conde on Monday to become the head of all of NBC News operations stunned many inside the network — especially since many assumed that NBC News President Noah Oppenheim would inherit the job from Andy Lack, who announced his exit on Monday after a bumpy five-year run. Conde was elevated so far, in fact, that he now occupies a position that didn’t even exist before: NBCUniversal News Group’s chairman, overseeing not only NBC News and MSNBC as Lack did, but CNBC as well. Born in New York but raised in Miami, Conde joined NBCUniversal in 2013 and two years later was elevated to become chairman of the company’s international group as well as Telemundo Enterprises. Under his leadership, the Spanish-language network overtook rival Univision in 2016 in the ratings and even passed Fox to become the nation’s fourth most-watched network among adults 18-49 in primetime.
- 5/5/2020
- by Lindsey Ellefson
- The Wrap
As NBC veterans digest a reorganization announced Monday by NBCUniversal CEO Jeff Shell, what was not entirely surprising was the departure of Andrew Lack. He had for some time been seen as exiting, perhaps at the end of the year.
What was a bit surprising was choice of Cesar Conde to lead a newly formed NBCUniversal News Group, which will include not just NBC News and MSNBC, which Lack had overseen, but also CNBC, which is led by Mark Hoffman.
Conde, who has been chairman of Telemundo and the company’s international division, is a break from the past, a choice of someone who rose the ranks at NBCUniversal outside of its news divisions. One person who had been viewed as Lack’s successor was NBC News chief Noah Oppenheim, particularly when he signed a new contract last year. He and Hoffman, who also had been seen as a possibility for Lack’s role,...
What was a bit surprising was choice of Cesar Conde to lead a newly formed NBCUniversal News Group, which will include not just NBC News and MSNBC, which Lack had overseen, but also CNBC, which is led by Mark Hoffman.
Conde, who has been chairman of Telemundo and the company’s international division, is a break from the past, a choice of someone who rose the ranks at NBCUniversal outside of its news divisions. One person who had been viewed as Lack’s successor was NBC News chief Noah Oppenheim, particularly when he signed a new contract last year. He and Hoffman, who also had been seen as a possibility for Lack’s role,...
- 5/4/2020
- by Ted Johnson
- Deadline Film + TV
During Andy Lack’s first tour of duty leading NBC News, he helped “Dateline” bounce back from a dark era in which producers admitted to manipulating elements of an investigative report on General Motors, and expanded the hours of the “Today” morning franchise, and ratings success followed. None of that prepared him for what lay in wait during his second time at the news unit’s helm.
Lack, who is stepping down from NBCUniversal earlier than previously expected under a new reorganization set in motion by new CEO Jeff Shell, has been under scrutiny almost from the time he returned to NBCU in 2015. He joined the Comcast-owned media conglomerate while it was in the midst of a public-relations maelstrom around former “NBC Nightly News” anchor Brian Williams, and quickly moved through several other periods of tumult.
Lack, a colorful executive who has never been shy about experimenting with new concepts,...
Lack, who is stepping down from NBCUniversal earlier than previously expected under a new reorganization set in motion by new CEO Jeff Shell, has been under scrutiny almost from the time he returned to NBCU in 2015. He joined the Comcast-owned media conglomerate while it was in the midst of a public-relations maelstrom around former “NBC Nightly News” anchor Brian Williams, and quickly moved through several other periods of tumult.
Lack, a colorful executive who has never been shy about experimenting with new concepts,...
- 5/4/2020
- by Brian Steinberg
- Variety Film + TV
Mark Lazarus will assume oversight of all of NBCUniversal’s entertainment TV operations as part of a massive company-wide restructuring.
Lazarus is now in charge of Peacock, NBCU’s streaming service that became available to Comcast subscribers last month. Matt Strauss will continue to lead the day-to-day operations as general manager. Lazarus, who has run NBC’s sports operations since 2011, maintains his oversight of NBC Sports and the company’s stations and cable businesses, while adding broadcast and cable production operations.
The sweeping changes mark the first major moves under newly-installed NBCU CEO Jeff Shell, who took over in January. During Comcast’s earnings call last week, Shell hinted that potential changes would be coming, describing the company as not being “right sized” for the current environment, given economic havoc brought on by the coronavirus pandemic.
Also Read: NBC News Group President Andy Lack to Step Down
A rep for...
Lazarus is now in charge of Peacock, NBCU’s streaming service that became available to Comcast subscribers last month. Matt Strauss will continue to lead the day-to-day operations as general manager. Lazarus, who has run NBC’s sports operations since 2011, maintains his oversight of NBC Sports and the company’s stations and cable businesses, while adding broadcast and cable production operations.
The sweeping changes mark the first major moves under newly-installed NBCU CEO Jeff Shell, who took over in January. During Comcast’s earnings call last week, Shell hinted that potential changes would be coming, describing the company as not being “right sized” for the current environment, given economic havoc brought on by the coronavirus pandemic.
Also Read: NBC News Group President Andy Lack to Step Down
A rep for...
- 5/4/2020
- by Tim Baysinger
- The Wrap
NBC News Group President Andy Lack is stepping down, NBC announced Monday in a statement about a wide-ranging restructuring within the company.
He is transitioning out of the company at the end of the month.
NBC News president Noah Oppenheim, MSNBC president Phil Griffin and CNBC chairman Mark Hoffman will now report to Cesar Conde. The company’s news networks will be organized into a single unit and led by Conde, who assumes the new role of NBCUniversal News Group chairman. Conde comes from Telemundo.
Also Read: NBC News' Critics Step Up Pressure to Investigate Andy Lack and Noah Oppenheim
The news came at the same time it was announced Mark Lazarus will assume oversight of all of NBCUniversal’s entertainment TV operations as part of the same massive company-wide restructuring.
Said NBCUniversal CEO Jeff Shell of Conde, “Cesar is a well-respected, strategic leader who has succeeded in multiple roles...
He is transitioning out of the company at the end of the month.
NBC News president Noah Oppenheim, MSNBC president Phil Griffin and CNBC chairman Mark Hoffman will now report to Cesar Conde. The company’s news networks will be organized into a single unit and led by Conde, who assumes the new role of NBCUniversal News Group chairman. Conde comes from Telemundo.
Also Read: NBC News' Critics Step Up Pressure to Investigate Andy Lack and Noah Oppenheim
The news came at the same time it was announced Mark Lazarus will assume oversight of all of NBCUniversal’s entertainment TV operations as part of the same massive company-wide restructuring.
Said NBCUniversal CEO Jeff Shell of Conde, “Cesar is a well-respected, strategic leader who has succeeded in multiple roles...
- 5/4/2020
- by Lindsey Ellefson
- The Wrap
NBCUniversal unveiled a sweeping new re-organization that breaks down walls between divisions devoted to TV and to news, gives new duties to two top executives, and prompts a third to leave the company.
The Comcast-owned media conglomerate will put broadcast and cable operations under a single executive, Mark Lazarus, while combining CNBC with NBC News and MSNBC under Cesar Conde. Andy Lack, the chairman of NBC News and MSNBC, will step down as a result.
The moves are among the first structural changes mandated by Jeff Shell, who took over as CEO of the company earlier this year.
Lazarus will take oversight of the NBC broadcast and cable networks and production operations, as well as Peacock, the company’s new streaming-video service, while maintaining oversight of NBC Sports and the company’s stations. Conde will supervise not only NBC News and MSNBC, but also CNBC, which has for the past several years operated independently.
The Comcast-owned media conglomerate will put broadcast and cable operations under a single executive, Mark Lazarus, while combining CNBC with NBC News and MSNBC under Cesar Conde. Andy Lack, the chairman of NBC News and MSNBC, will step down as a result.
The moves are among the first structural changes mandated by Jeff Shell, who took over as CEO of the company earlier this year.
Lazarus will take oversight of the NBC broadcast and cable networks and production operations, as well as Peacock, the company’s new streaming-video service, while maintaining oversight of NBC Sports and the company’s stations. Conde will supervise not only NBC News and MSNBC, but also CNBC, which has for the past several years operated independently.
- 5/4/2020
- by Brian Steinberg
- Variety Film + TV
NBCUniversal CEO Jeff Shell is putting his imprimatur on the company’s executive structure following the exit of former chief executive Steve Burke last year as the Comcast divison announced a major restructing that creates a new division, NBCUniversal Television and Streaming – including Peacock – that’s headed by Mark Lazarus as chairman.
The company also said its news networks will be organized into a single unit and led by Cesar Conde, who assumes the newly created role of Chairman, NBCUniversal News Group, which now includes NBC News, MSNBC and CNBC.
NBC News Group President Andy Lack is stepping down and will transition out of the company at the end of the month. Noah Oppenheim, President of NBC News; Phil Griffin, President of MSNBC; and Mark Hoffman, Chairman of CNBC; will now report to Conde. Lack had reportedly been planning to exit after the 2020 elections.
Conde, who has been chairman of NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises,...
The company also said its news networks will be organized into a single unit and led by Cesar Conde, who assumes the newly created role of Chairman, NBCUniversal News Group, which now includes NBC News, MSNBC and CNBC.
NBC News Group President Andy Lack is stepping down and will transition out of the company at the end of the month. Noah Oppenheim, President of NBC News; Phil Griffin, President of MSNBC; and Mark Hoffman, Chairman of CNBC; will now report to Conde. Lack had reportedly been planning to exit after the 2020 elections.
Conde, who has been chairman of NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises,...
- 5/4/2020
- by Jill Goldsmith and Ted Johnson
- Deadline Film + TV
Kevin MacLellan is exiting NBCUniversal after nearly two decades.
MacLellan, the chairman of NBCU’s global distribution and international operations, will stay on with the company during the transition period before his official departure. Jeff Shell, chairman of NBCUniversal Film and Entertainment, made the announcement to staffers in a memo on Wednesday that has been obtained by Variety.
With MacLellan’s departure, Shell announced that NBCU is merging its domestic and international operations to “take advantage of our increased international footprint and the growing number of platforms for our content,” per the memo.
Under the new structure, Bonnie Hammer will take on oversight of NBCU’s International Studios. Jeff Wachtel, who previously reported to MacLellan, will now report to Hammer and George Cheeks. The news comes just weeks after it was announced that Hammer would be overseeing all broadcast and cable studio operations via Universal TV and Universal Content Productions.
MacLellan, the chairman of NBCU’s global distribution and international operations, will stay on with the company during the transition period before his official departure. Jeff Shell, chairman of NBCUniversal Film and Entertainment, made the announcement to staffers in a memo on Wednesday that has been obtained by Variety.
With MacLellan’s departure, Shell announced that NBCU is merging its domestic and international operations to “take advantage of our increased international footprint and the growing number of platforms for our content,” per the memo.
Under the new structure, Bonnie Hammer will take on oversight of NBCU’s International Studios. Jeff Wachtel, who previously reported to MacLellan, will now report to Hammer and George Cheeks. The news comes just weeks after it was announced that Hammer would be overseeing all broadcast and cable studio operations via Universal TV and Universal Content Productions.
- 10/30/2019
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
NBCUniversal is merging its domestic and international divisions, with Kevin MacLellan, chairman of NBCU’s global distribution and international operations, set to exit the company.
Before he ends his nearly two-decade career with the company, MacLellan will work with NBCU film and entertainment chairman Jeff Shell and chairman of NBCU’s international group and Telemundo, Cesar Conde, on a transition plan.
Recently appointed NBCUniversal Content Studios chairman Bonnie Hammer, who was formerly in charge of the company’s forthcoming streaming service Peacock and is now heading up both Universal Television and Universal Content Productions, will oversee the international studio following MacLellan’s exit.
Also Read: NBCU Shuffle: Bonnie Hammer to Oversee Combined Studios, Matt Strauss Gets Peacock, Paul Telegdy Will Chair NBC Solo
“In light of Kevin’s departure, we have reassessed our international organizational structure,” Shell said in an internal memo announcing the news to staff on Wednesday. “With...
Before he ends his nearly two-decade career with the company, MacLellan will work with NBCU film and entertainment chairman Jeff Shell and chairman of NBCU’s international group and Telemundo, Cesar Conde, on a transition plan.
Recently appointed NBCUniversal Content Studios chairman Bonnie Hammer, who was formerly in charge of the company’s forthcoming streaming service Peacock and is now heading up both Universal Television and Universal Content Productions, will oversee the international studio following MacLellan’s exit.
Also Read: NBCU Shuffle: Bonnie Hammer to Oversee Combined Studios, Matt Strauss Gets Peacock, Paul Telegdy Will Chair NBC Solo
“In light of Kevin’s departure, we have reassessed our international organizational structure,” Shell said in an internal memo announcing the news to staff on Wednesday. “With...
- 10/30/2019
- by Jennifer Maas
- The Wrap
NBCUniversal international chief Kevin MacLellan is to leave the Hollywood studio and his departure will see the company “more closely align” its U.S. and international operations.
MacLellan has been with Comcast since 2001 and was most recently Chairman of Global Distribution and International.
Jeff Shell, Chairman, NBCUniversal Film and Entertainment, in a note to staff, said that he was “disappointed” to reveal MacLellan’s exit. “Kevin MacLellan has made the difficult decision to leave the company and is ready to move on to his next challenge. Kevin and I have worked closely together for over 14 years, during which time he has always been a trusted friend and advisor,” he wrote.
MacLellan advised on Comcast’s acquisition of Sky, launched streaming service hayu in 14 countries and oversaw the company’s international studios business, which includes Downton Abbey producer Carnival. “We are sorry to see him go, but look forward to seeing...
MacLellan has been with Comcast since 2001 and was most recently Chairman of Global Distribution and International.
Jeff Shell, Chairman, NBCUniversal Film and Entertainment, in a note to staff, said that he was “disappointed” to reveal MacLellan’s exit. “Kevin MacLellan has made the difficult decision to leave the company and is ready to move on to his next challenge. Kevin and I have worked closely together for over 14 years, during which time he has always been a trusted friend and advisor,” he wrote.
MacLellan advised on Comcast’s acquisition of Sky, launched streaming service hayu in 14 countries and oversaw the company’s international studios business, which includes Downton Abbey producer Carnival. “We are sorry to see him go, but look forward to seeing...
- 10/30/2019
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
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