NBC is getting wide acceptance from its affiliates for an expanded "Today," with about 90% of them clearing a fourth hour of the show. The trend is something of a surprise, as many were expected to
resist handing over another hour of programming to the network.
"We're in good shape," says John Damiano, executive vice president, affiliate relations at NBC Universal. About 60% of
NBC's 230 affiliates have already agreed to air the fourth hour at 10 a.m., with another 20% clearing it for 11 a.m., and 10% willing to do it at another time. Even the final 10% haven't decided, so
the net hasn't really had many rejections. Details of the fourth hour will be provided during its upfront presentation.
"It's not going to be a dramatic deviation from what "Today"
looks like [now]," says NBC affiliate board chairman Marci Burdick, who is senior vice president of Schurz Communications. "There will be local news opportunities for affiliates."
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