Trouble at NBC/MSNBC DC Bureau?
FTVLive is reporting that there are big changes coming to NBC/MSNBC’s DC Bureau and that MSNBC will be taking the “brunt of it”. With the 2008 elections coming up the timing is lousy for restructuring and cutbacks, particularly for MSNBC which has been trying to position itself with a more political focus. And if they shut down the entire North Capitol Street bureau what does that do to Norah O’Donnell when she comes back from maternity leave?
On the other hand this could all be one big consolidation effort to remove redundancy between NBC and MSNBC in DC ahead of the move to 30 Rock…
I do belive they need to change and fast before they sink even further
Comment by Peggy C — June 14, 2007 @ 9:55 am
There is trouble at Nbc/Msnbc NJ bureau.
Contessa Brewer is having a horrendous time of it.
Posted by Hmmm - June 14, 2007 @ 10:50 am
Comment by Hmmm — June 14, 2007 @ 10:50 am
“position itself with a more political focus”? so removing Imus was a good move towards a more political focus? well I guess if you just want your political focus to favor the left, (wesley Clark’s eminent arrival too) it seems to me anyway, that every time MSNBC issues a position, it changes, like the weather, and of course that brings to mind Imus comments vs rokers. just a few of the reasons why my plug is still pulled on MSNBC/CBS
Comment by ditmar — June 14, 2007 @ 11:11 am
I must be a horrible person, because when I hear that NBC/MSNBC is having trouble, it brings me much joy. I’m not one who would normally get pleasure from someone elses bad fortune, but after the IMUS tragedy, I have no use for them, nor do I have any respect. I wouldn’t care if they disappeared from the airwaves completely. This is from someone who was totally loyal to them…they were all I watched, but not now.
Comment by carrie elkin — June 14, 2007 @ 11:57 am
No Carrie Elkin, I don’t think you’re horrible at all, I would say principled yes, horrible no & I fully concur with your pts of view. plug pulled, not my leg by exec’s at MSNBC
Comment by ditmar — June 14, 2007 @ 12:04 pm
Wesley Clark, was on The Factor telling everyone what a Great Guy George Soros was and how he was being misrepresented in the Media. Wesley Clark is pro Soros, so pro Media Matters, these folks all lean to the Left. I guess I am saying if MSNBC and NBC is trying to make this more political, aren’t they just making an annoucement about what they have already done? I don’t get this? They are transparent, don’t they get that a large section of their old viewers, figured out already what happened? When Imus was targeted and fired, we knew what was coming. I wonder if one hand doesn’t know what the other hand is doing at these Networks, it sure would explain alot.
Comment by Ree — June 14, 2007 @ 12:08 pm
Ree, I think the hands know exactly what there doing, much locker room activity, back slapping, towel snapping, activity in self congratulatory satisfaction of ridding the network of that intolerable “racist” Imus but that jewel of a weatherman roker whose “joke” about epilepsy has gone unsanctioned. no your analysis about the hands not knowing is too kind. their smugness in believing the american public is buying their postering is more boys self-congratulating themselves in the locker room as the numbers don’t substantiate their positition.
Comment by ditmar — June 14, 2007 @ 12:17 pm
Why all the hand wringing. MSNBC CBS listen to your viewers admit you made a mistake (or make up some phony story) and bring back Imus and the rest will take of itself.
Comment by Eden — June 14, 2007 @ 12:34 pm
Imus, Imus, Imus. Why don’t you all plan a trip to his ranch out West. The more the better of course. When you meet him, instantly kneel down before him and chant hysterically for him to come back, anywhere, in any media…from his barn, or even one of your houses. Invite him! Be courteous! If you cry, that will add some additional effective theatrics. Hopefully you’ll all succeed so that it will silence this highly annoying complaining!
Regarding this change at MSNBC: There will be ALOT of changes at MSNBC over the next months. The largest of course being the big move. They are re-organizing, making necessary changes that will end up cutting personalities, and adding new ones as well. It has long been known, NBC is streamlining it’s news organization. NBC and MSNBC are going to be within the same studios at the Rock, and using each others resources. Overlapping jobs usually mean cutbacks. They will in the end come out being a formidable, stronger organization.
Comment by Peoplepeople — June 14, 2007 @ 12:42 pm
peoplepeople, you sound like managementmanagement. typically when management mismanages downsizing does occur & the jobs that are cut usually aren’t the brass but the middle echelon. And the management team at MSNBC did create the double standard regarding what is acceptable or not, rokers pass & Imuses firing sure does deserve the publics scrutiny & opinions & mgmt can continue to ignore it & they will continue to tank because like MSNBC mgmt you apparently don’t understand LOYALITY. Yes it is not generally heard of these days & as MSNBC continues to put its foot in its mouth, with one falsehood or disparing action after another they are going to be called out on it & deservedly so. Imus supporters aren’t going away or shutting up as what happened was WRONG.
Comment by ditmar — June 14, 2007 @ 2:23 pm
PPP:
Something tells me you are an MSNBC/NBCU employee, given some insight and talking points you use.
Comment by eddiebear — June 14, 2007 @ 2:35 pm
“They will in the end come out being a formidable, stronger organization.”
They would be a lot more formidable if they would report the news in an objective, straightforward manner instead of bashing Republicans every chance they get while sweeping Democratic doo-doo under the rug.
Comment by PF — June 14, 2007 @ 2:36 pm
People,People,
They are making plans, there is a Rally scheduled for June 29th to protest the firing of Don Imus and Imus Crew. They have been mobilizing, I understand two other groups besides Imus Fans are going to join them. Why if everyone agrees on the issue that all points of view should have a voice i.e. Rosie O’Donnell, then why can’t the Imus Fan’s have theirs? This is America after all isn’t there room for all points of view, in the end you can always change the channel or turn it off.
Comment by Ree — June 14, 2007 @ 2:41 pm
PF, don’t be a hypocrite. Again, take your head out of the sand, wash your eyes out, and let there be light! Every news organization has an agenda whether you choose to believe it or not. Oh, that includes whatever channel(s) you view, too.
Comment by Peoplepeople — June 14, 2007 @ 2:43 pm
I agree with Spud, about it could be a consolidation. I don’t know that they have a plan maybe they are going to hunker down…and hope Paris or Lindsey does something (SMILE)
Comment by Ree — June 14, 2007 @ 2:47 pm
They can pull together, consolidate, all become one…use any kind of language you want, but they have simply lost credibility with many former loyal viewers. Why would anyone want to watch a network that is lead by those morons. I think they’ve had their time to shine and lost it because they mishandled the IMUS thing.
Comment by carrie elkin — June 14, 2007 @ 2:47 pm
If Imus cared about giving you people your daily dose, wouldn’t he just stream a show? (until he gets another radio gig for instance) Or is his ego too big for a web only broadcast?
Comment by Terance — June 14, 2007 @ 2:50 pm
There maybe something in his lawsuit which would prohibit such a thing. This consolidation was originally a move to improve their BRAND, however, it is now no doubt a move of neccessity, because IMUS is going to take them to the cleaners. They’ll be lucky to have a pot to pi$$ in when it’s all said and done!!
Comment by carrie elkin — June 14, 2007 @ 2:56 pm
# 7 The folks you mention, do a little more than “lean”.
As for the “formidable, stronger organization….” Don’t kid yourself. It’s gonna be a blood bath over there. But in the end it will be like putting lipstick on a pig. It’s still ugly.
Posted by Hmmm - Flag day, 2007 @ 2:58 pm
Comment by Hmmm — June 14, 2007 @ 2:58 pm
I don’t know, they say in politics if your opponent is busy self destructing stay out of the way. If I was Imus that is what I would do. I menttioned weeks ago that GE should sell off MSNBC and the new owners could restructure, reorganize and rebrand, then they could come back and compete as a buisness but first they would have to wean the network off of Media Matter’s Tit.
Comment by Ree — June 14, 2007 @ 3:03 pm
IMUS! IMUS! IMUS! IMUS! IMUS! that’s for you peoplepeople. Can’t you understand that there are few people who really make a difference and touch our lives and those people are irreplacable and for thousands of us that person is Don Imus. He deserves our respect and admiration. We believe that he should not have been fired and we should not be told what to listen to and/or watch. I know you, pp, LOVE Keithy Olbermann so maybe you would understand how we feel if your idol disappeared from your life. We liken it to the end of Sopranos - the TV has gone blank for us and it will remain blank until Don Imus is back on.
Comment by mel — June 14, 2007 @ 3:18 pm
PPP spouts the same BS people try to hand you when they’re peeing on you and trying to convince you it’s rain. The bottom line is that NBC-Universal’s bottom line is anemic. And they haven’t been able to rein in the astronomically high salaries their “stars” are making to balance the bottom line. Olbermann reportedly gets $4M a year. What does that work out to per viewer exactly? Oh well, at least he’s living well, I imagine the employees that had to be fired to pay for his high salary might have a different idea about his worth to the company. Not to mention those poor behind-the-scenes employees who are now having to do double and triple the work because of the reduction of employees. But just remember-according to PPP and TVNewser: MSNBC is a ratings success* (*in the key demo, depending upon which ratings chart you’d care to believe).
Comment by Alison — June 14, 2007 @ 3:20 pm
I hope MSNBC dissolves into oblivion. Who cares about them now that Imus is gone?
Comment by jules — June 14, 2007 @ 3:21 pm
This goes way beyond just IMUS being gone…though it is devastating. But it goes to free speech and who gets to say what under what circumstances. All of these “on air” personalities should have backed IMUS, if for no other reason, because they could be next. When you do live broadcasting and interviews, mistakes are going to be made. All of those “holier than thou” types…(Kieth O. comes to mind), should have been standing in line to defend their broadcasting brother instead of bashing him. It’s deplorable the kind of back stabbing that goes on.
Comment by carrie elkin — June 14, 2007 @ 3:38 pm
I keep seeing on various comments around the blogeshere, that cable companies are dropping the MS-NBC channel (Comcast is usually mentioned). Satelite radio has dropped the MSNBC audio a long while back.
Spud, do you know for sure if MS-NBC is getting dropped, and if so, are the numbers considered “pretty good” considering they are on less “stations” Just wondering.
Comment by Obama in 08! — June 14, 2007 @ 4:45 pm
Nobody’s seriously talking about dropping MSNBC. For one thing it’s part and parcel of NBCU’s carriage agreements. For another Cable needs to add more channels, not subtract, in order to compete with satellite.
Comment by Spud — June 14, 2007 @ 5:03 pm
Al Roker should help give out the pink slips, since he contributed to the revenue problems with his Don Imus indignation/revenge. Better yet why not put him at the front of the line?
Comment by ChannelXRFR — June 14, 2007 @ 5:08 pm
“… NBCU’s carriage agreements…”
Yeah, anyone see all Nbc channels get preempted for 8 minutes this morning to bring “us” tiger’s tee shot at the Open ?
Quite a spectacle……
Posted by Hmmm - Flag Day, 2007 @ 5:31 pm
Comment by Hmmm — June 14, 2007 @ 5:31 pm
It seems we have many people here who are blind to a powerful brand ‘NBC’. I will say this, DO NOT underestimate MSNBC’s ability to make a come back with the resources it has at its disposal.
Comment by Peoplepeople — June 14, 2007 @ 5:32 pm
There are so many outlets for news now. Imus differentiated MSNBC by showcasing Its personality to the point where the reach extended into the nightly news. There is no one more capable of bringing out the personality of Russert, Williams, Mitchell, Matthews, O’Donnell, Brown, Robach, Gregory etc. Now Imus is gone and MSNBC’s ability to project personality is gone. It has shown up MSNBCs ratings as well as NBC’s nightly news. Doc Block anyone?
Comment by jerseyboy — June 14, 2007 @ 6:01 pm
A comeback? Wouldn’t MSNBC have to have arrived and been on top to stage a comeback? They’ve always been in last place. Now I KNOW you have to be on the NBC-Uni payroll!
Comment by Alison — June 14, 2007 @ 7:19 pm
MSNBC and CBS radio have only themselves to blame for their lackluster ratings. When you let two, attention grabbing nit-wits, run your network, thats what you deserve. Don Imus brought, viewers and revenue, to both of these companies, and they canned him like a tuna. All Imus fans should revel in their on going failure, in finding a morning host. Morning Joe! this show is awful and painful to watch, in any time slot. All the anchors, on MSNBC, don’t have enough personality, to draw flies, to the TV screen. Capt. Smith of Titanic fame and Steve Capus of MSNBC, both have something in common, they both have good knowledge, of a sinking feeling.
Comment by King of Ching — June 14, 2007 @ 10:12 pm
Is there really anyone here who doesn’t realize that Peoplespeople is Dan Abrams? We all know he has no balls - it would take balls to use his real name.
Comment by Linda S — June 14, 2007 @ 10:16 pm
mel/jules/carrie elkin/ChannelXRFR/jerseyboy/ditmar/Eden-
Oh ye of multiple names,
I think I speak for many here when I ask that you choose just one name and please stop clogging up our blog. Everyone who posts here on a regular basis has already made up their minds on Don Imus. You are NOT furthering your cause here.
Comment by erljr — June 14, 2007 @ 10:16 pm
Imus fans!! Remember he is at the Imus Ranch and , in my opinion, is going over offers to return to radio, in September. Think of all the dreadful Morning shows on TV and radio, and not think Imus hasen’t gotten any offers. Again, in my opinion, the reason the law suit hasen’t gone forward, may simply be, their talking to CBS radio. We all know this radio and tv game, is all about money and viewers and sponsors. Everybody! Remain calm! This story is going to come full circle very soon and Imus will be back on the air. But, then again, I could be wrong, they could hire Al and Jesse.
Comment by King of Ching — June 14, 2007 @ 10:28 pm
erljr, ye of single mindedness & rude commentary, your mind is made up & so is mine, & I am not multiple names & a singular recent blogger here. I think since the Imus controversy, MSNBC #’s are down & spud’s are up! I didn’t realize there was exclusivity here, are you an elitist? or maybe a child who doesn’t like to share? How many are many? Trust me when there is justice for Imus you can have your site back & we will mass exodus & make you very happy! And if you had a cause what would it be? Attempting to silence Imus followers, rather like his bosses did?
Comment by ditmar — June 15, 2007 @ 12:04 am
Another Imus stooge clogging up the site…say what you want about Imus, but his viewers are atypically loyal, and he did more to promote messNBC’s ratings & personalities than they realized. Until now.
Comment by saad-o — June 15, 2007 @ 1:45 am
“saad-o” is right. One more new name to add to the list. The poor grammar, run-on sentences, and, now, name-calling, give you away. All the names are new; and you don’t seem to know who the Imus fans are on this site.
Comment by erljr — June 15, 2007 @ 4:25 am
erljr…we are not the same person..just people with like minds…this is a public forum and America, so I’ll continue to say what I mean and mean what I say…I think it’s safe to say that we disagree on the subject of IMUS…and I support you in your efforts, though tragically misguided. I am a LONG TIME fan of IMUS and will support him and defend him until he’s back on the air.
Comment by carrie elkin — June 15, 2007 @ 8:13 am
In #3, someone mentioned that Contessa Brewer was not having a good time with all the changes at NBC/MSNBC. Does anyone know to what that is referring?
Comment by carrie elkin — June 15, 2007 @ 11:06 am
Is there really anyone here who doesn’t realize that Peoplespeople is Dan Abrams? We all know he has no balls - it would take balls to use his real name.
Comment by Linda S — June 14, 2007 @ 10:16 pm
If not Dan Abrams, definately an NBC/MSNBC employee. Very tedious peoplepeople and very transparent…yuck.
“I think I speak for many here when I ask….”Comment by erljr — June 14, 2007 @ 10:16 pm
No, you speak for yourself…and you don’t do a very good job.
Comment by Obama in 08! — June 15, 2007 @ 11:37 am
That’s funny…I pictured PeoplePeople in the basement of his mother’s house in his underwear blogging away.
Comment by carrie elkin — June 15, 2007 @ 1:10 pm
Obama 08, Your so articulate, sorry I couldn’t help myself, I enjoy your comments..I enjoyed all these comments.
Comment by Ree — June 15, 2007 @ 2:01 pm