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Layoffs for MTV, Paramount and NBC Universal

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: MTV, NBC, News

NBC Universal logoNot even those reporting on the nation’s massive layoffs are immune from them.

Today, continued the downsizing of its worldwide workforce. Hoping to reduce its upcoming budget by $500 million, the company began laying off approximately 500 staff members - including people from the NBC News division - earlier this week. That number equates to approximately 3% of the total corporation. Sources claim that several correspondents have been cut while Donny Deutsch’s CNBC Show, The Big Idea, has been put on hiatus. (Apparently it’s getting harder to find successful entrepreneur stories at this time.)

Meanwhile, Variety reports that 300 staffers from MTV Networks and 100 employees from also became casualties of the economic downturn.

Read More | Variety

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Tom Brokaw Becomes Russert’s Interim Replacement

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: NBC, News

Tom BrokawWhile NBC has yet to name a permanent successor to Tim Russert, the network has now devised a consistent schedule for its Meet the Press position. Instead of relying on several people to fill the Sunday time slot, only one man will now lead the program through at least the November election: Tom Brokaw.

Brokaw, the former anchor of Nightly News, was the person tapped to helm the show the weekend after Russert’s death. (Brian Williams hosted Press yesterday.) This will be veteran journalist’s first regular position on NBC since stepping down from his daily job in 2004.

In a statement Sunday, the 68-year-old said he hoped to carry on where Russert left off. “Tim made ‘Meet the Press’ the center of the universe for informative and lively discussions of public affairs, particularly the exciting 2008 campaign for president, and I intend to continue that commitment to our viewers.”

Read More | Hollywood Reporter

Brian Williams Takes a Turn on Meet the Press

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: NBC, News

Brian WilliamsAlthough the network is smack in the middle of an exciting political year, NBC has decided against making rush decisions on its empty posts.

After Tim Russert’s passing last Friday, Tom Brokaw assumed the role of guest host on Meet the Press. Now the current anchor of Nightly News, Brian Williams, will have his turn this weekend. (He was only asked to do the job this Thursday.)

For now, it appears temporary substitutions are something we’ll have to get used to for the weeks to come. (The situation feels similar to when first began his medical absence from Ebert & Roeper.)

The network knows Russert’s shoes - on the set and in the Washington bureau - will be hard to fill and it’s not a decision anyone wants to take lightly. As NBC News’ president (Steve Capus) put it, “Tim left us as he was at the top of his game. It took someone with Tim’s enormous skills and qualities as a human being to juggle all those things and do so brilliantly.”

Read More | Hollywood Reporter

Meet the Press’ Tim Russert Dies After Heart Attack

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: NBC, News

Tim RussertTim Russert, host of Meet the Press, died Friday. He was 58 years old.

While his network has not officially released the details, the New York Post claims the journalist died after suffering a heart attack at NBC News’ Washington Bureau. Russert worked there as the bureau chief.

Time recently named Tim one of the ‘World’s Most Influential People’. The magazine praised the news analyst for being one “among the most astute, discerning and relentless pursuers of truth in the nation.”

Russert joined the NBC News family back in 1984 and was Meet the Press’ moderator since 1991. No immediate announcement has been made about the fate of his program.

Read More | MSNBC

Golden Globes Officially Canceled

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Award Shows, NBC, Cancellations, News

Golden Globe awardsThe announced today what most people have known for weeks: the simply cannot go on as planned.  Even though the failed to grant the awards ceremony an interim deal, the show’s producers had still hoped they could somehow carry on.  Unfortunately, the put the final nail in the coffin last week.  After being told their presentation would lack all nominees, the HFPA finally conceded.

Although there was hope for something a bit splashier, the awards show was officially scaled down from a three-hour gala to a one-hour press conference today.  The dry presser - to be hosted live by NBC News - will air this Sunday @ 6pm PT.  Why the news division?  Well that’s because their writers work under a different contract. 

While I’m sad I won’t get to see my faves in their finest, there is one good thing to come out of all this.  Now we won’t have to see in her awkward stint as the next Miss Golden Globe.


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