And then there were two.
After an unconventional three-division framework for NBC News was introduced in 2023, top executive Cesar Conde is now merging two units under a single leader.
In a memo distributed to employees on Monday, Conde disclosed that Janelle Rodriguez, who has been at the helm of “NBC Nightly News” and the streaming service NBC News Now, will now report to Rebecca Blumenstein, president of editorial at NBC News, overseeing newsgathering along with shows like “Meet the Press” and “Dateline.” While Rodriguez will continue managing her existing responsibilities, she will no longer communicate directly with Conde, as she did previously. Libby Leist, who manages the multi-hour “Today” show, will maintain her reporting line to Conde.
Conde stated that these changes aim to enhance a new “story-centric” strategy that aligns their award-winning broadcast, streaming, digital, and audio newsrooms. This restructuring is designed to strengthen editorial supervision across all platforms, leverage exclusives, and enhance original storytelling that sets their journalism apart while also broadening content reach in unique ways.
This reorganization coincided with the formal separation of NBC News and MSNBC, as parent Comcast moves to spin off much of its cable properties into a new entity called Versant.
Both Rodriguez and Blumenstein have made significant strides recently. Rodriguez navigated the recent anchor transition at “NBC Nightly News” from Lester Holt to Tom Llamas, with the broadcast achieving stronger viewer figures than ABC’s “World News Tonight” among the vital 25-54 age demographic on certain evenings. Meanwhile, Blumenstein has expanded “Dateline” into digital formats like podcasts and elevated “Meet the Press” within the same coveted demographic. She also managed the transition from Chuck Todd to current moderator Kristen Welker.
Although Rodriguez has more experience in television news than Blumenstein, the latter brings a wealth of impressive journalistic experience from her time at The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal.
The decision to augment Blumenstein’s role comes as traditional television news divisions are facing tough economic climates, with audiences increasingly turning to mobile video and social media for their news. Others are also bringing in executives who previously would not have been considered for such roles. For example, Warner Bros. Discovery’s CNN has recently appointed Bridget Ruane, an executive coach and consultant at ZRG Partners and the former Sucherman Group, as the “head of organizational change,” tasked with improving operational and organizational design for collaborative goal achievement.
The desire to disrupt conventional TV news management garnered significant attention when Paramount Skydance named Bari Weiss, a digital media entrepreneur with no background in managing large TV operations, editor in chief of CBS News. Weiss’ appointment has attracted considerable scrutiny due to her reputation as an opinion writer, diverging from the traditional fact-gathering role, and her views could potentially shift CBS News away from its usual neutral stance.
Conde also elaborated on new projects at NBC News, indicating an imminent launch of a subscription service that will showcase top-notch coverage and new premium offerings aimed at mobile users. Furthermore, NBC News is also set to expand its foray into sports news, aligning with NBCUniversal’s heightened focus on sports through an 11-year NBA rights agreement, as well as preparations for coverage of the Super Bowl, World Cup, and Winter Olympics in 2026. Reports suggest that NBC has engaged in discussions with Major League Baseball about hosting a Sunday night game package, providing top-level sports on most Sundays throughout the year alongside NFL and NBA games.
Conde further mentioned that NBC News will initiate a new marketing campaign “to reaffirm our reputation for rigorous fact-based journalism that is essential and accessible across all platforms for all,” which he described as “the first such campaign in modern memory.”
Looking ahead, Conde hinted at more innovative ideas for NBC News in the upcoming months, stating, “Our strategic priorities continue to focus on content, innovation, and culture.” Despite these plans, NBC News will navigate forward with only two business divisions instead of three.
