The negotiations over Megyn Kelly’s move to NBC were so secretive that only a handful of the network’s top-tier talent was let in on the news just before it was announced to the public.
We’re told that even the notoriously territorial Matt Lauer and just-renewed “Today” show figurehead Savannah Guthrie were only told about their high-profile new colleague on the morning that the story broke.
Sources said Lauer “blew a gasket,” which NBC insiders deny.
Also given the heads-up were MSNBC’s “Meet the Press” anchor Chuck Todd and “NBC Nightly News” anchor Lester Holt.
Other staff found out when it hit the wires.
We’re told NBC News chairman Andy Lack kept “Today” exec Noah Oppenheim in the loop on Kelly’s jump from Fox News, sparking strong speculation that she could end up on the 9 a.m. hour of “Today,” which has been left open after hapless former anchor Billy Bush was pushed out.
NBC has said that Kelly will work on a “daily daytime show” and a Sunday news magazine.