As a seasoned gamer who has spent countless hours navigating through the ever-evolving world of network news and morning shows, I can attest to the fact that the upcoming changes at NBC’s Today show are as thrilling as unlocking a rare, coveted achievement in a game. The departure of Hoda Kotb is not just a shift in the seats; it’s a redesign of the entire level.
Opportunities to sit as a morning show anchor on a network seldom arise, yet when they do, those positions are likely considered the most sought-after in the broadcasting industry.
Although network TV news and entertainment (except sports) face long-standing challenges, the morning shows have continued to serve as pillars of relative consistency. The anchors typically hold their positions for extended periods. Moreover, these morning shows, which emphasize lifestyle topics, continue to be financially profitable ventures that help support other less profitable news programs.
Making adjustments to the anchor’s rotation, the format, or any aspect of the morning show setup is indeed a significant matter.
Hoda Kotb’s upcoming departure from NBC’s Today show, slated for 2025, marks one of the most significant shifts in morning show lineups in recent years. The network faces an uphill battle to replace Kotb on both the core morning hours and the distinct 10 a.m. slot, not only filling the anchor chairs but also redefining the show’s visual and emotional aesthetic.
Over time, morning network shows have broadened their teams with more regular contributors beyond the primary anchors. However, the main anchor groups have remained consistent for quite a while. The most significant shift happened three years ago in 2021 when Nate Burleson became co-anchor on CBS This Morning, now known as CBS Mornings, alongside Gayle King and Tony Dkoupil.
King, it is worth noting, inked a new deal with CBS earlier this month.
On ABC’s “Good Morning America,” the main anchors – Robin Roberts, George Stephanopoulos, and Michael Strahan – have held their positions since the year 2016.
Kotb’s exit early next year will force NBC to decide how it wants to move forward.
It’s worth mentioning that today marks the end of the era where network morning shows feature two primary co-anchors. Instead, both ABC and CBS have transitioned to using three main anchors (with additional support from weather anchors, news anchors, and other contributors).
It’s quite possible that NBC could alter their format to a three-anchor setup following her departure. As reported by E! on Thursday evening, Dylan Dreyer from NBC’s weather team stated, “I don’t believe it would be shocking if they appointed anyone from our main team… We’ve all stepped in when someone was absent.
Nevertheless, there are individuals within NBC who strongly believe that Craig Melvin, who has served on the program for six consecutive years, is likely to remain a key figure in any new format that the show may adopt.
The role that proves trickier to replace is the one filled at 10 a.m., a position Hoda Kotb has held for 17 years and shared with Jenna Bush Hager since 2019. This segment, though part of Today, resembles a more conventional daytime syndicated hour in terms of appearance and atmosphere. In this setting, the bond between the co-hosts is what truly matters most.
Currently, NBC is searching for a new host who can work harmoniously with Bush Hager. Although temporary replacements have filled in during past instances, finding the ideal fit for this position is of utmost importance.
It’s noteworthy that CBS Mornings is about to extend its programming by an additional hour starting next week, making it a three-hour show. In contrast, shows like Today and GMA introduced their third hours much earlier – Today did so in 2000 (and added a fourth hour in 2007), while GMA followed suit in 2018 (now airing as GMA3 during the early afternoon). However, CBS has been maintaining its flagship morning show at a two-hour length until this recent expansion.
CBS Mornings Plus, as they’re now referring to it, will have Tony Dokoupil and Adriana Diaz at its helm. Unlike traditional broadcasting, this program will air on television in just a few local areas, but can also be streamed on the CBS News streaming channel. This marks a significant shift in the distribution model for morning shows.
Morning news show hosts are often seen as earning some of the highest salaries in television journalism (for instance, former Today host Matt Lauer earned over $20 million annually before his dismissal). However, the evolving financial landscape of TV broadcasting may also play a role in shaping future developments.
Broadcasters such as Roberts and Stephanopoulos were given both on-screen commitments and behind-the-scenes production contracts by the network, enabling them to create content for ABC, Hulu, and various other platforms. Reporters like Dokoupil and Bush Hager hold numerous roles across different time slots.
In the realm of broadcast news, there’s a growing trend towards digitization and a reduction in large, multi-million dollar contracts that used to be prevalent. When such substantial deals are required to finalize an agreement, they typically come accompanied by a more significant role.
In contrast to the trend of shrinkage seen in late-night programs recently, morning shows have adopted a similar pattern, with hosts such as Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel, Stephen Colbert, Seth Meyers expanding their roles beyond just their network shows. This expansion includes creating additional programming and participating in network events.
In recent months, morning show ratings have been quite competitive, with GMA usually leading in total viewers but Today taking the lead among adults aged 25-54. Even CBS Mornings is giving GMA a run for its money in that demographic and has surpassed it on multiple occasions this year.
The closeness of the ratings, combined with the importance of the morning shows to their respective networks, underscores just how significant a change is coming to NBC. Kotb has been one of the faces of Today for years, and when Lauer was fired in 2017, she stepped into the co-anchor slot alongside Savannah Guthrie with ease. NBC has people internally that could do the same (including Melvin, Willie Geist, Sheinelle Jones, Peter Alexander and others).
Given the high stakes, the network might seize this moment of change to reassess the program’s format and potentially initiate a fresh phase in the world of morning shows competitions.
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2024-09-27 19:25