The ratings victories by ABC News’ World News Tonight with David Muir over NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt during the Winter Olympics has executives at the Peacock Network concerned, according to a report from Page Six.
Sources told the Post that with Muir overtaking Holt in total audience and closing the gap in the 25-t0-54 demographic, Holt’s bosses are beginning to sweat. If the ratings reach a point that a change will have to be made in the anchor chair, the network has few options at this time.
One potential replacement is Today host Savannah Guthrie, but due to the recent firing of Matt Lauer, it would be “impossible” now, according to the Post.
Megyn Kelly, the onetime Fox News star, has been a big ratings disappointment since joining NBC, likely removing her from contention.
A long-shot candidate would be Holt’s predecessor Brian Williams who was fired after he was caught lying on the air, but thanks to NBC News chief Andy Lack has resurrected his career on MSNBC with his top-rated 11 p.m. program.
Putting Williams back in the anchor chair might be good for ratings, but is fraught with risk given his past misdeeds.
With such a thin bench, NBC will stick with Holt until the network is forced to make a change — which they hope won’t be for the foreseeable future.
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