It seems NBC is producing as much drama in its executive suite as it is on the TV screen.
Deborah Turness, the president of NBC News, told some hard truths in a New York Times interview, which caused a few senior executives to choke on their morning lattes. Ms. Turness was said to be firing off apologetic emails to contain the damage. She should be standing her ground instead.
The Times article acknowledged the challenges facing NBC News when Ms. Turness arrived a year ago – sagging ratings across the board, open revolt at its flagship morning news program (“Today”) and a moribund Sunday show (“Meet the Press”). Such problems don’t happen overnight, and Ms. Turness was blunt:
“People in the organization from top to bottom recognized that NBC News hadn’t kept up with the times in all sorts of ways, for maybe 15 years,” she said. “I think the organization had gone to sleep.”
Such candor was apparently too much for some NBC executives. Quick to the scene was the New York Post, with a report that Ms. Turness’s comments had angered the saintly Tom Brokaw and Jeff Zucker, head of CNN and formerly chief of NBC Universal. One’s legacy must be defended in the media business, after all. Naturally, neither man was quoted in the article, which instead cited anonymous “sources” who apparently witnessed their rage. Um, right.
The controversy is a healthy sign of progress for Ms. Turness. Telling it like it is and even upsetting a few egos along the way is a good thing. It clears the way for new initiatives and puts the organization on notice that changes lie ahead. It’s refreshing to see an executive speak their mind. And when they’re leading a turnaround as ambitious as the one Ms. Turness is facing at NBC News, candor is absolutely vital.
So it’s no time for Ms. Turness to apologize. In fact, doing so would be counterproductive, because it would only draw attention to her instead of the urgent issues facing the organization. She would be wise to consider sending a memo to the entire staff with a few points about what’s been accomplished – and what more needs to be done.
When you’re out on a limb, shake the tree.
Who knew the news business could be so entertaining?