The New York Post reports that NBC News boss Deborah Turness is eyeing more job cuts, and is causing the most distress for the NBC Washington bureau, since News Lite doesn’t need a lot of D.C. talent. Even David Gregory could get his gig canceled.
“Turness has been trying to figure out the future for David Gregory's Meet the Press, with options including bringing in MSNBC's Morning Joe team of Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski for a Sunday show, or blowing up the entire franchise and trying something completely different, sources familiar with the situation said.”
Joe and Mika? Why would anyone who's looking at ratings think another shot of "Morning Joe" was an answer? It can be beaten by "Morning Express with Robin Meade" on HLN in the 25-to-54 demographic. As long as we're running with wild rumors, couldn't Turness the Brit just hire Piers Morgan?
“The jury is still out on what to do as Turness still hasn't decided, these sources added.” It would have to be seen as unlikely that NBC would “blow up” Meet the Press, the longest running broadcast program on TV. But grating Gregory is no Tim Russert, as the show slipped from first place to third.
An NBC spokesperson, in a statement on Friday, said, “We offered a handful of voluntary buyouts in the DC bureau back in early November. Discussions are ongoing.”
