In Depth: Cutbacks…
TVNewser says he’s hearing NBC News is facing a 50 million dollar cutback. ICN first blogged on the potential trouble NBC’s 600 million shortfall (at the time…it eventually wound up being 800 million) in projected ad rates issue back in June. Back then ICN suggested that NBC News would be targeted for cutbacks. 50 million is a large number though. What gets cut?
Well, one thing that doesn’t get cut is Today (though ICN isn’t sure if Today falls under the News or Entertainment divisions) because that’s NBC’s biggest money maker and NBC can’t afford to undermine that show with Good Morning America nipping at its heels.
MSNBC certainly will be targeted for cutbacks. And it couldn’t happen at a worse possible time. With Carlson being moved and Cosby debuting and an expanding of live programming beyond traditional primetime hours, MSNBC needs more money to launch and promote these shows, not less.
But ICN wouldn’t at all be surprised to be hearing in the near future word leaking out about layoffs in Secaucus. If this happens how will it impact the news coverage that is delivered on MSNBC Live? Will MSNBC be forced to cut back on what has been a great series of in-house specials like last Sunday’s Astronaut special and the Ethical Edge series (of which more were planned)? Will MSNBC be able to continue to do special extended assignments like sending Chris Jansing to Rome, fortuitously coinciding with the death of Pope John Paul II and the selection of Pope Bennedict the XVI?
Will actual MSNBC programs be cut? ICN believes one program that could get serious scrutiny if the need arose would be Connected: Coast To Coast with its two shows and lower than MSNBC Live ratings. And what about Carlson? If the show fails to take off immediately in late night will MSNBC be forced by NBC to prematurely pull the plug due to the budget drain?
It’s all conjecture and speculation at this point. Perhaps MSNBC will be spared heavy budget cuts and nobody will notice a difference on the TV screen? ICN has a hard time believing that though because NBC News is territorial and MSNBC traditionally has not been considered part of the NBC News family when the chips are down, except when NBC needs it for something…
I know a way they could save a cool million, at least - get rid of Chris Matthews! MSNBC acts as if he’s some kind of big-kahuna when it comes to political coverage, when in reality he is one of the sloppiest and least preparred pundits out there. AND, his persona is quite sleazy.
Comment by Vaughan — August 2, 2005 @ 5:06 pm
Pull the plug on MSNBC. Focus all attention and resources on NBC Network News AND CNBC. That’s the answer, plain and simple.
Comment by Anonymous — August 2, 2005 @ 5:55 pm
Good Grief! Unplug the connection for “Connected”!
Comment by Cara — August 3, 2005 @ 4:51 pm