NBC News announced the creation of the network-owned nonfiction production company, Peacock Productions. Combining the editorial expertise, technical resources and seasoned production talent of "Dateline NBC," NBC News Productions, NBC Media Productions and the digital unit NBC Next Media, Peacock Productions will offer a wide-range of nonfiction programming to NBCU television, its cable channels, including MSNBC, and other broadcast and cable entities with worldwide reach.
Steve Capus, President of NBC News and Peacock Productions said: "Our mandate at NBC News is to reach as many people as possible at any time, in any place and on any platform. The creation of Peacock Productions will not only enable us to reach more people in new ways and places, but it also underscores how we are transforming from a news organization into a news and information organization."
David Corvo, Executive Producer of "Dateline NBC" and Executive Vice President of Peacock Productions, said: "At a time when producing for only one outlet has now become an 'old idea,' this is a remarkable opportunity for some of the best storytellers in the business. They will have more creative freedom than ever before and be able to reach a larger, worldwide audience on a regular basis. We want everyone in the business to know we are not just a newsmagazine unit."
Sharon Scott, Senior Vice President of Peacock Productions, responsible for all cable, new nonfiction and alternative programming, said: "We've produced hundreds of hours of programming for NBC and non-NBC entities for more than ten years. But this new restructuring will let us utilize more producers, editors and resources, and make us one of the biggest programming suppliers to broadcast, cable and internet outlets, domestically and internationally."
In addition to the countless hours of programming for "Dateline" and MSNBC, the long form units of NBC News have produced a variety of programs over the past several years, ranging from the weekly syndication series, "Your Total Health," anchored by NBC's Hoda Kotb, to "Dog the Bounty Hunter," a breaking news special that garnered A & E its highest ratings ever, to the acclaimed documentary for Discovery, "Global Warming: What You Need to Know," reported by Tom Brokaw.
The unit also produced, "Sci-Fi Investigates," for the Sci-Fi network; The "RFK Awards" for Court TV, in addition to many Court-TV Investigates hours; "Secret Life of Vampires," for A&E; "Sexiest Moments in Film" for Bravo. Other clients include: TLC, Travel National Geographic, Biography, Sleuth, Spike, VH1 and USA.
The new unit already has a full slate of projects, from daily programs to documentary-type programming, on broadcast, cable, syndication and digital platforms. Among them,
For Broadcast:
- "Dateline" for 2007-2008 season
- NBC News Specials
- "Tom Brokaw Reports"
- "Busted," a pilot for a reality series about at an all-female Detective Agency.
- "Wild Bill Stanton," a pilot for a series protecting yourself and family with a former policeman-turned-security expert.
For Cable:
- "The Long Winter of Hank Aaron," Tom Brokaw updates his 1973 documentary for ESPN.
- "1968," a Tom Brokaw documentary in connection with his new book, Boom!: Aftershocks of the Sixties and Beyond, for History Channel.
- "9/11: The Search for the Truth," also for History Channel.
- "Eco-Biz," an on-going series for The Sundance Channel.
- Slate of documentaries and series for MSNBC.
For Syndication:
- "Your Total Health," weekly series on wellness and fitness featuring NBC News' Hoda Kotb.
For Digital:
- MSNBC.com's travel program, "Ultimate Getaway."
- Two weekly online shows on gadgets and inventions for SciFi.com
For Schools:
- A daily newscast for Channel One, the preeminent news and public affairs content provider for teens -- reaching approximately seven million students in middle schools and high schools across the country.
In addition to Corvo and Scott, other senior members of the Peacock Productions team include: Elizabeth Cole, the executive editor of "Dateline NBC" and news specials for NBC; Aretha Marshall, Vice President of Peacock Productions, responsible for booking and casting, and managing editor of "Dateline NBC"; Benjamin Ringe, Vice President of Development and Executive Producer of multiplatform programming and unique content; Jim Gerety, Executive Director of Peacock Productions; Knute Walker is Executive Producer of news and media productions; and Tim Peek is the Executive Producer for the digital programming entity, "NBC Next Media."