NBCU Renews O&O, Content Focus
The new NBCUniversal
has moved to increase resources for its 10 NBC stations to compensate for underfunding by previous management, a top company executive said.
“The company took away investments in those stations,” said Ted Harbert, the chairman of the NBC broadcasting business.
Harbert said the Comcast-led leadership put $20 million into the business to hire more than 100 new employees and purchase news helicopters in New York and Los Angeles. Harbert also said one of the smartest hires he’s ever made was Valerie Staab, who now runs the stations.
At the NATPE event, he said there have been certain ratings improvements in New York and Washington and a more aggressive approach to news.
Harbert also said previous management did not focus on the daytime business as much as it should have. The station group has made commitments to pick up new syndicated shows with Jeff Probst and Steve Harvey for the fall. (It opted not to pick up Katie Couric’s forthcoming show.)
“What I really like is we’re out there doing something,” Harbert said.
At the NBC network, Harbert said among its troubles is low audience levels, it can’t promote its shows, making it difficult for even a strong creative effort to break through. “'Prime Suspect' wasn’t as bad a show as a 1 rating and ‘The Firm’ is not as bad a show as (the rating it is getting),” he said.
He said the network is counting on help from other NBCU assets, including cable channels, to promote the coming season two of “The Voice” and launch of “Smash.”
Recent MediaDailyNews Articles
-
Multichannel Video Cos. Register Subscriber Loss, Satellite TV Gains May 22, 10:55 a.m.
For the first time in a year-long period, the biggest multichannel video companies have witnessed a ... -
DPAA Taps Enhanced TV Ad Vet Frey As New Chief May 22, 8:08 a.m.
Barry Frey, a long-time cable and interactive television executive who helped pioneer the field of “enhanced ... -
How Social Is Transforming TV May 21, 5:46 p.m.
Live from OMMA Video, Viacom Media Networks is unveiling its findings from “When Networks Network: TV ... -
Chicago Awards O'Hare Digital Signage Biz To Clear Channel Airports May 21, 4:30 p.m.
The Chicago City Council has awarded Clear Channel Airports a five-year contract, with the option for ... -
(Updated) NDTV Challenges WPP, Tries To Revive Lawsuit In NY May 21, 4:26 p.m.
(Editor's Note: The original version of this story, including the headline failed to note that NDTV's ... -
Horizon Taps Gambelli As Chief Investment Officer May 21, 4:18 p.m.
Former NBC senior advertising sales executive Marianne Gambelli has landed at Horizon Media as its executive ... -
Ad Council Raises Autism Awareness May 21, 3:41 p.m.
The Ad Council has partnered with Autism Speaks and two agencies, BBDONew York and LatinWorks, to ... -
CBS Scores Big Victory In 18-49 Demo May 21, 3:11 p.m.
Just two days before the finish of the TV season, CBS claims a major victory among ... -
TiVo Boosts Revs, Data Efforts May 21, 2:54 p.m.
TiVo made gains for its first-quarter revenue results with higher cable operator subscriptions.The time-shifting and technology ... -
Updated: Out-Of-Home Trading Platform Integrates With Mediaocean, Posterscope Backs Move May 21, 8:07 a.m.
(Editor's Note: Posterscope denies it is backing ADstruc. A Clarification has been published here.) While ...
1 comment on "NBCU Renews O&O, Content Focus".
Leave a Comment