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Longtime NBC News chief Steve Capus is stepping down six months after a restructuring undercut his power and strengthened that of his new boss, Patricia Fili-Krushel.
Capus, who spent eight years in the top news job, reported directly to NBCUniversal chief Steve Burke following Comcast’s takeover two years ago.
That changed when Burke combined the network’s news units and put in Fili-Krushel, sparking speculation that Capus would quit.
Capus also took flak for NBC’s “Today” falling to second place in the morning-show race and for the ratings flop of “Rock Center with Brian Williams.”
Capus took the unusual step of exercising his right to terminate his three-year contract without announcing a new job.
He sent staff a long and emotional farewell memo yesterday, recalling many of the news events he’d covered and how he stepped into his role the same week Hurricane Katrina hit.
“It has been a privilege to have spent two decades here, but it is now time to head in a new direction,” Capus wrote in a memo to staff. “I have informed Pat Fili-Krushel that I will be leaving NBC News in the coming weeks.”
Friends say the news chief had ceased to find much joy in his job and wanted to explore his options.
A 20-year NBC veteran, Capus saw his tenure marred when ratings juggernaut “Today” lost its 16-year No. 1 spot to ABC’s “Good Morning America.”
The network’s decision to push out “Today” co-host Ann Curry — who broke down on air — in a callous public fashion only further alienated viewers. Sources said Capus fought and lost the battle to keep Curry.
NBC’s mishandling of the situation also tarnished the reputation of co-host Matt Lauer, who took the brunt of the public blame for Curry’s painful exit.
Fili-Krushel was named to the newly created position of chairman of NBC News Group soon after Curry got the boot.
Capus’ departure follows that of former “Today” executive producer Jim Bell, who was moved to a new position handling the network’s Olympics coverage.
“Today” hasn’t been the only issue for NBC News under Capus’ watch. “Rock Center,” Brian Williams’ prime-time news magazine, has fallen short of ratings expectations and is being moved to Friday nights.
While Capus didn’t reveal his next move, insiders are betting that he will reunite with his old boss, Jeff Zucker, now at CNN.
Capus, who hails from Philadelphia, the home of Comcast, survived an earlier management shake-up that forced out Zucker.
Zucker, who appointed Capus to his position as head of news in 2005, is busy overhauling CNN.
Meanwhile, NBC is also looking to revamp its news division. Fili-Krushel needs a replacement for Capus, and speculation is she wants a woman for the job.
Alexandra Wallace, the first woman to run “Today,” is rumored to be front-runner. Wallace is a former executive producer of Brian Williams’ “Nightly News” broadcast.