Nikki Finke is reporting that there will be major shakeups ahead for the executives who program the NBC broadcast network. Writing:
After weeks of checking out rumor after rumor, I’m finally able to pin down details of the long-overdue shakeup that’s ahead for NBC when this fall’s primetime schedule shapes up to be an unmitigated disaster.
Say what you will about Ms. Finke, but she’s right with her calls a lot and as she notes in her own post, it was she, Nikki Finke who broke the story on Jeff Zucker firing entrtainment president Kevin Reilly and replacing him with Ben Silverman. Silverman brought in Teri Weinberg to be his EVP of NBC Entertainment.
I’m not surprised by this at all. NBC’s fall schedule does appear that it will shape up to be a disaster. While I agree with Bill Gorman that it’s going to be tough for broadast networks all over, NBC doesn’t have to concede to fourth place in total viewers every September through May. Mr. Zucker surely came away from the experience with the Olympics realizing you can program the network with content people will watch. While events like the Olympics are few and far between, it does not appear that NBC announced its lineup with optimizing for the most viewers possible in mind.
Read the gory details at Ms. Finke’s Deadline Hollywood.
Oh my, that was an interesting read. However, it all makes you wonder about Mr. Zucker's abilities as well.
Very interesting.
I will definitely be keeping an eye on events as they continue to unfold.
So does this mean that the NBC execs don't think “Kath and Kim” is going to be the next “Friends”?
These stories are all especulatory. The writers strike hindered the new team to put out what was truly theirs, we wont know until this fall line up's results. I hope NBC is smart enough not to panic, and just let the new shows sink with the audience, not with what they “think” will be a hit. By the way…does Nikki Finkke have a life? Why is she spending labor day weekend writing about other people's jobs…if these people didnt have the jobs they have, maybe Nikki would be out of hers….chismosa!
You know the only thing I can stomach on NBC is Jay Leno, and he’s leaving. The news is embarrassingly biased and so transparently politically motivated, that it’s not even worth watching. There is no “news” on the news. If your network can tolerate that, what other BS are you selling? Will watch NBC again when you grow up.
I agree with Brian. Leno is the only thing I ever watch on NBC, so my viewing days at this network are waning. The new on this network is biased in the extreme, and I believe Americans need and want better, and a democracy DEMANDS it. Bye-bye to a once great network.