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NBCUniversal chieftain Steve Burke shocked insiders with his pick to lead the company’s far-flung news operations, passing over several veterans for the top job.
Burke tapped NBCU business exec Patricia Fili-Krushel — who hasn’t been involved in a network news operation for years — as chairman of a newly created division that includes NBC News, MSNBC and CNBC.
Burke’s decision to appoint Fili-Krushell, a longtime confidante, was described by network news insiders as “crazy” and “bizarre” given her lack of news credentials.
Fili-Krushel ran human resources, business operations and strategy, although she was a former ABC Television president and had responsibilities for ABC News.
“The timing sucks,” said one person close to NBC’s news division. “[Burke] didn’t go out and hire a news person, he put an administration person in charge.”
The extra layer of management was viewed as bad for NBC News head Steve Capus and CNBC chief Mark Hoffman, who previously reported directly to Burke. MSNBC President Phil Griffin continues to report to Capus, a spokeswoman said.
Burke said the change is aimed at fostering more cooperation between the news divisions and apes a similar structure in NBC’s sports unit.
Insiders said that while Fili-Krushel isn’t there to fire anyone — Capus renewed his contract in the last six months — her position raises questions about the ability of the news chieftains to work together without adult supervision.
The NBC News division is on the hot seat, with the “Today” morning show continuing to slide in the ratings even after Savannah Guthrie replaced Ann Curry, whose badly handled exit from the anchor chair has been Topic A for weeks.
While NBC insiders were poring over Burke’s memo announcing the shake-up, Curry was spotted having lunch with her lawyer, Robert Barnett, at a power lunch spot, Michael’s, in Manhattan yesterday.
The next few months will be critical for NBC’s news business to demonstrate synergies. The Olympic Games kick off in London next week followed in November by the presidential election.