NBC's Move To Let Megyn Kelly Go: Did It Pay Off?

Let’s take a moment to dive into the drama swirling around NBC’s decision to let Megyn Kelly go. Remember all the fanfare when NBC signed her to host the third hour of Today? At the time, it felt like a big deal. But after her controversial comments about blackface, things took a turn. Now, here we are, and surprisingly, NBC doesn’t seem to be regretting their decision at all. In fact, if you look at the ratings, it’s almost like they’re secretly celebrating.

Just last Friday, Megyn Kelly officially parted ways with NBC in a deal estimated to be worth a whopping $30 million. Now, that might sound like a lot of money, but let’s put it into perspective. In a statement, NBC said, “The parties resolved their differences, and Megyn Kelly is no longer an employee of the network. She’s free to pursue any job opportunity.” Translation: it’s over, and she’s moving on. And let’s be honest, with her track record and experience, it’s only a matter of time before we see her pop up somewhere else. Maybe even back at FOX News, where it all started.

How’s NBC Doing Without Megyn?

Here’s the thing: that $30 million payout might seem like a lot, but in the grand scheme of things, it’s probably not going to break NBC. Especially when you consider the ratings. Just recently, the third hour of Today beat Live! With Kelly and Ryan in both total viewers and the all-important 25-54 demographic. This happened during the week of December 24, 2018. And guess what? It wasn’t a one-time thing. Before that December week, NBC’s third hour also beat Live! in November, right after Megyn left amid the blackface controversy. Back in December 2016, when the hour was called Today’s Take and hosted by Al Roker and Tamron Hall, it happened too.

According to Page Six, “The ratings show that outside of those two wins, the third hour has greatly narrowed the gap with Live!” Now, here’s an interesting twist: Megyn’s hiring for that hour led to Tamron Hall resigning from the network. But don’t worry, Tamron’s story doesn’t end there. Later this year, ABC is set to debut a syndicated talk show with her as the host. Talk about a win-win situation!

Who’s Running the Show Now?

The third hour of Today is now in good hands with Craig Melvin, Dylan Dreyer, Sheinelle Jones, and, of course, the ever-popular Al Roker. These hosts bring a fresh energy and chemistry to the show, and it’s clearly resonating with audiences. It’s not just about ratings; it’s about creating a show that people want to watch and engage with.

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