NBC News & Notes: 9/26/12

By Frank Macek

Here is a look at some of the news from our parent network, NBC, with regards to what you see on WKYC, Channel 3...

• Executive Producer Jim Bell disputes reports that have been circulating about "Today" show host Matt Lauer being difficult to work with as the show experiences as decrease in ratings. In a report by the Associated Press, Bell calls Lauer "the heart and soul of NBC's morning news show and that negative stories about him have been hard to deal with." Ratings for the popular morning show have been challenged against ABC's "Good Morning America" since Ann Curry was replaced by Savannah Guthrie.


• The September 17 premiere of NBC's new Monday drama "Revolution" has set time-shifting records for the network and for a debuting series on any network. In "live plus three day" ratings from Nielsen Media Research that count time-shifted viewing through the first three days after a show's live telecast, the "Revolution" premiere grew by 1.36 rating points from its "live plus same day" rating (a 4.09) to its "live plus three day" rating (5.45).


• NBC has picked up the fourth and fifth cycles of the hit music competition series "The Voice" for Spring and Fall 2013, it has been announced by Robert Greenblatt, Chairman, NBC Entertainment. This pickup will assure the many dedicated "Voice" fans that this innovative show will continue to bring some of the most talented new voices to the world's attention through all of next year," said Greenblatt. "With the addition of Usher and Shakira as rotating coaches to join Christina, CeeLo, Adam and Blake in the next cycle, we know that this incredibly addictive program will remain even more relevant as we move forward through this exciting season. My hat is off to John de Mol, Mark Burnett, and everyone who produces this classy and highly entertaining show for us."


• Willie Geist is likely to become a permenant co-host on the 3rd hour of the "Today Show" with Natalie Morales. Currently, Willie hosts MSNBC's show "Way Too Early" and appears on "Morning Joe" hosted by Joe Scarborough.


• NBC Sports is offering a total of 60 hours of coverage of this year's Ryders Cup. While most of that will be on the Golf Channel, 16 hours of live coverage will air on WKYC this weekend.

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