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Spreading its feathers The home of "must see" TV, Tom Brokaw, and the NBA (through the 2002 season), NBC is the top-rated broadcast network in America. But a nationwide decrease in network TV viewership (and the loss of Seinfeld) has the peacock network worried. A subsidiary of General Electric Co., NBC has been stepping up its efforts to go global. It signed a deal with Dow Jones & Co. to consolidate the companies' business-news channels in Europe and Asia, and create a link between CNBC and The Wall Street Journal in the US. In June of 1997, the network also began broadcasting MSNBC and CNBC shows in Mexico. Unfortunately, low ratings and the strength of television monopolies abroad have forced NBC to scale back its efforts. In July of 1998, control of most of its Asian and European programming was turned over to National Geographic Worldwide, a venture between NBC and National Geographic Society. There have also been problems in the company's Internet arm, NBC Internet, Inc. In June 2000, NBC announced a restructuring plan under which all of NBC Internet's Web sites and products, including Snap.com, Xoom.com and VideoSeeker, will be combined under a single banner, NBCi.com. The new, comprehensive Web site will debut in the fall. Alongside NBCi.com, the new site NBCx.com will also appear in the fall as an edgy, comedy-centered venture aimed at Generations X and Y. In addition to airing late night programming like "Saturday Night Live," the site will also offer original live and animated videos. NFL to XFL NBC lost NFL broadcasting rights in January 1998, in a bidding frenzy with other broadcast and cable networks that resulted in an $18 million deal for the football league. In response, the network has teamed up with the World Wrestling Federation to introduce a new "extreme" football league. The eight-team XFL league will begin the season in February 2001 with variations on regular football rules, such as microphones in huddles, on the sidelines, and in the lockerrooms. Pax pact In September 1999 NBC acquired 32 percent of Paxon communications for $415 million. The deal paves the way for a takeover by NBC in a few years. The agreement is one of many such deals stemming from a ruling by the FCC permitting ownership of more than one station in a given market. These deals are seen as attempts by the networks to diversify in response to lagging network-TV viewership. Going downunder Unless you can afford the plane ticket to Australia, NBC will once again be the only way to watch the 2000 Summer Olympics. However, thanks to disgruntled viewers voicing their opinions about NBC's exclusive coverage of the '96 Olympics in Atlanta, the broadcasting company is making some changes. The effort is a good sign, seeing that NBC will be broadcasting the Olympics at least through 2008. This year, NBC is using its cable affiliates, MSNBC and CNBC, to provide more air time and highlight sports generally ignored in the past, from beach volleyball to equestrian competitions. However, with a 15-hour time difference, nothing is being aired live, which could take the suspense out things. If you want to be surprised, don't check out NBC's site www.nbcolympics.com, which will be posting instanteous scores and results. Stepping online As NBC Internet (NBCi) explored new ways of capturing revenues, in July 2000 it took a minority stake in Bigstep.com, which offers Web hosting services to small businesses. The deal allowed NBCi consumers to build personal home pages and take part in the online community; in return, Bigstep wouldpurchase promotion and direct marketing services on NBCi?s consumer properties. Stepping online As NBC Internet (NBCi) explored new ways of capturing revenues, in July 2000 it took a minority stake in Bigstep.com, which offers Web hosting services to small businesses. The deal allowed NBCi consumers to build personal home pages and take part in the online community; in return, Bigstep wouldpurchase promotion and direct marketing services on NBCi's consumer properties.
Job openings at NBC are posted on the network's website, www.nbc.com. It's a big site, so your best bet to even find the listings is to go straight to the site map and find the link there. Insiders say that during the hiring process, candidates interview with HR as well as with a manager from the specific department. The network does require candidates to pass a drug test, so "no poppy seed muffins," advises one helpful employee. Insiders also advise potential hires for the news programs to bone up on current events before the interview. "The key to getting any position here is persistence," advises one insider, "it's important that you make yourself stand out." Many employees get their foot in the door as interns or assistants. NBC has an entry-level program for college graduates, called the "Page Program." Participants work in "Guest Relations," conducting tours and helping audience members for the various shows taped at the studios. Pages also float among the different departments within the company, and work on various assignments. After a year, many get permanent positions in the departments that interest them most. "You're basically their slave," admits one source, "but I guess it's worth it in the end." Another insider disagrees, pointing out that "if you do get a job upon completion, it is most often secretarial." Another option for college graduates is the associates program - "the fastest way to move up at NBC," according to one veteran. It is an 18-month rotation program, during which associates work in areas such as TV network, marketing and finance. At the end of the program, associates are assigned to a full time position. The program often leads to "high visibility" and "lots of quick promotions," said one finance professional. There are not too many entry-level jobs available in broadcasting. Most people that get in have previous experience in smaller local stations around the country. You can get work as what they call a "daily hire" - essentially project work - which means "when the show is over, so is your job." "Be prepared to start off as a freelancer or a temp before you actually get a full-time job with benefits."
Insiders describe the attitude around the company as "upbeat," "stimulating," and "often quite maddening." But they are happy (and feel quite lucky) to be there. They say their co-workers are "efficient and professional," and "the best in the business." However some, especially those involved with the news programs, are "aggressive," and "opportunistic." Broadcast departments at NBC are "highly political," environments where people's careers are often "determined by the whims of powerful people." And if you pride yourself on your journalistic integrity, take heed - several insiders complain about pumping out - sensational" reports that "lack substance." NBC is a huge corporation, and many feel that they don't get enough information from the people they work with: "Communication kinda sucks," as one insider puts it - "but they are trying to rectify that." Many say GE's corporate culture has rubbed off quite a bit - in terms of its "efficiency" and "high quality," while others think GE has effected an "underlying conservatism" in this otherwise "progressive" company, which may be the reason for the "poor representation" of women and minorities among senior management. Despite the poor numbers at the top, most insiders laud the company's commitment to diversity. "NBC is very keen on corporate diversity and on treating women and minorities with the utmost respect," says one. GE/NBC has spent a great deal of money on a diversity training program, and sponsors several outside programs directed towards minorities - including a Minorities in Engineering program for New York City high school students. Dress codes vary by office and department. Production and technical staff, (plus the entire Burbank office) dress casually. Business attire is required at the NY headquarters, with casual day on Friday. Posted hours in the business offices are generally 8-4 or 9-5. But a TV network is a 24-7 business, so schedules vary widely for those in production and operations. Production staff for the Today Show, for example, start their days in the middle of the night. Work hours can be hellish, especially for the news shows - many work up to twelve hours a day, six to seven days a week. "Frequently, my life has been thrown into turmoil by breaking news events," reports an NBC News Channel employee. "If you want a good schedule that allows you plenty of time for your social life, I'd look elsewhere." TV generally pays poorly, but insiders say compensation is "better than average" for the industry. And salaries at the NY headquarters are slightly higher than in other outposts. "But nobody is getting rich here," notes one insider. NBC gets gold stars for its "handsome" benefits package, which includes health benefits, stock options and an "excellent" 401(k) plan.
Employee Relations 30 Rockefeller Plaza1 Room 1678 New York NY 10012 818-840-4397 (Burbank jobline)
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