Noah Oppenheim Addresses the Departure of Tamron Hall From NBC News

By A.J. Katz 

The Hollywood Reporter’s Marisa Guthrie interviewed NBC News president Noah Oppenheim for a story out this morning. Some topics covered include how NBC News goes about covering President Trump, the morning show ratings race, how the network courted Megyn Kelly and the departure of Tamron Hall.

Here’s an excerpt from the conversation:

THR: What was NBC’s pitch to Megyn?

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Oppenheim: It wasn’t so much a pitch as a conversation. We talked to her about her vision for the next phase of her career and how we might partner with her.

THR: She has built a reputation for being a tenacious interviewer. How will that translate to a morning show?

Oppenheim: She is tough and fair; there’s a place for that. We’re not giving enough credit to the morning audience to think that they don’t want those things. Her background is as an attorney, she’s a mom of three, and she has had a lot of experiences that will be relatable to a huge cross section of the audience in the morning.

THR: Will we see her on the flagship 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. Today?

Oppenheim: There is no contemplation of her having a regular role on the 7-to-9. She’ll appear on all the broadcasts of NBC News occasionally. If she gets a big interview, she’s going to present pieces [on different broadcasts].

THR: Regarding her Sunday show, doesn’t 60 Minutes have a stranglehold on the 7 p.m. slot?

Oppenheim: 60 Minutes is an institution. No one here thinks we’re going to supplant it, certainly not out of the gate. That said, it’s a mistake to assume anyone has a stranglehold on anything long term.

THR:  Tamron Hall was said to be angry that Today’s Take was scrapped to make room for Megyn.

Oppenheim: I don’t necessarily accept the premise of the preamble. But I will also say that I very much hoped that Tamron would remain with NBC News. We made her an offer that I think reflected our strong desire that she be part of our family moving forward, that would have given her a very prominent and substantive role here at the network. We were obviously disappointed that she chose to pursue her future elsewhere, and we wish her only the best.
 

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