Media executives and industry experts close to NBC say the Ronna McDaniel fiasco reveals chaos at the top of the Peacock network, with one executive telling the Post: “Heads need to be turned.” He is said to have said.
The hiring and sudden firing of the former Republican National Committee chairman, under intense pressure from NBC and MSNBC talent led by Chuck Todd and Rachel Maddow, revealed a power vacuum at the station, multiple sources said. sources told The Post on Thursday.
“Someone has to pay for the apparent lack of leadership on this issue,” said one media mogul, who spoke to the Post on condition of anonymity. “You have to turn your head.”
“There are serious discussions going on in Philadelphia,” the person added, referring to the headquarters of NBC’s parent company, Comcast. “If I [Comcast president] Mike Cavanagh, what an fk I would give! ”
The influential figure said the NBC News Group chairman took “full responsibility” for signing McDaniel last Friday to a reported two-year, $600,000 contract as an on-air contributor for NBC and MSNBC. Maybe Cesar Conde.
Four days later, Maddow, MSBNC’s most bankable star, called the hire “incomprehensible,” and Todd returned to “Meet the Press” to denounce McDaniel’s “credibility issues” and to “Morning. Joe’s Mika Brzezinski accused her of “”, his attitude changed completely. Anti-democratic election denier. ”
“After hearing your many legitimate concerns, I have decided that Ronna McDaniel will no longer be a contributor to NBC News,” Conde wrote in a memo Tuesday.
“Our initial decision was made because of our deep commitment to providing a broad and diverse range of perspectives and experiences to our viewers, especially at this critical time,” he added.
McDaniel is reportedly in talks with media lawyer Brian Friedman to pursue a defamation and harassment lawsuit over the harsh treatment he received from co-workers who worked part-time.
The stain the McDaniel episode placed on Mr. Conde’s stellar resume was “a self-inflicted bleeding wound,” said a former executive at a rival network.
“First, Mr. Conde needs to come to his office and address the issue head-on instead of hunkering down in Brickell, Miami,” the person said. “Above all he needs to restore authority and law and order. For that, someone needs to be held accountable. It’s difficult because he wooed Rona and approved that decision himself. It’s hard to fire someone for reporting on a felony they committed.”
Another industry expert said the number of Mr. Conde’s direct reports and lack of editorial leadership overseeing NBC News and MSNBC was surprising. Mr. Conde is not a member of the press and has not identified himself as such, sources told the Post.
Mr Condé now controls what sources describe as a collection of “fiefdoms”.
Libby Leist directs “Today.” Janelle Rodriguez is in charge of the NBC Nightly News and NBC News Now streaming services. Rebecca Blumenstein, who was named editorial director in January 2023, oversees booking for “Meet the Press” and “Dateline.” Rashida Jones runs MSNBC.
McDaniel’s hiring was a team effort, with Blumenstein and NBC News Senior Vice President of Political Affairs Carrie Budoff Brown reportedly leading the process, as well as Jones. It is reported that. MSNBC promotes acquisition of former RNC chairmanwhich allowed her to obtain a more favorable contributor contract.
But the immediate backlash within 30 Rock over hiring McDaniels forced Jones to make a surprising change of direction. Last weekend, she told furious staff: Unashamed Donald Trump supporters will not be welcome on left-wing networks.
After Conde sent a memo announcing McDaniel’s firing, MSNBC prime-time hosts Joy Reid, Chris Hayes and Alex Wagner slammed the firing.
“Those leaders were willing to change on this, and I’m grateful to them,” Maddow agreed.
“Prisoners are taking over the asylum,” countered a rival media executive. “There is no clear leader in the network, especially with the way Mr. Conde has set it up.”
Representatives for Conde, NBCU, Comcast and NBC News declined to comment.
Officials criticized the fact that the company doesn’t have a single leader who oversees all editorial, and media watchers deadpan that “sometimes you just have to crack your neck.” Told.
“If I were them, I’d clean house,” said another source close to NBC. “The system that Cesar has set up is clearly a failure. I would remove them all and start over. They are clearly incapable of leading an organization.”
Insiders point to Mr. Blumenstein or Mr. Brown as potential victims, but others say the network’s leadership needs to change.
Any move would require major changes to occur over the next 60 days, one official stressed.
Another person close to the network said the blame should stop for Condé, who has been described as a “high-maintenance,” “two-faced” and “Teflon-coated” executive.
But sources close to NBC said Comcast is unlikely to oust Mr. Conde and that the network will try to move past the scandal by regaining the trust of its talent. To do that, Mr. Condé needs to be close to his lieutenants and be transparent about hiring staff.
“Cesar will have to take all the bullets,” the source said. “He will need to continue to publicly say that he made the decision and protect Rashida, Rebecca and Carey. He will need to continue to work hard to keep news teams evaluating future hires. , I also need to be in New York and work with them. [lack of being present] showed a big gap [in his leadership]”
