NBC Looking Outside 30 Rock for Next News President
NBC has been without a News President ever since they pushed Steve Capus out the door.
But, it looks like the Peacock might be doing the wise move and looking to fill the job with someone outside 30 Rock.
Among the more interesting names to surface as a successor to Capus is Deborah Turness (pictured), the news editor for Britain's ITV Network. People close to the search said NBC News Chairman Pat Fili-Krushel is intrigued by Turness.
Turness is the latest executive to emerge as a potential Capus successor. There were also brief talks with Jon Banner, the former senior executive producer of ABC's "World News Tonight," about taking the post. Banner is now a senior vice president of global strategy and planning for PepsiCo Inc. and told NBC he was happy there, two people with knowledge of the situation said.
Another name that has been discussed inside NBC is CBS News President David Rhodes. However, Rhodes is also under contract and not seen as available.
A rising media star in Britain, Turness in 2004 became the first female editor of an English news division -- which is akin to news president in the U.S. -- when she assumed the top position at ITV News. Before that she held several posts there, in England, Paris and Washington.
Described by the London Evening Standard as a "tough but fair livewire" and by the Guardian as someone "renowned for ripping up the rule book," Turness is credited with keeping ITV News competitive against much bigger rivals, including the BBC.
Turness has also become something of a celebrity herself in London media circles. In 2011, she was the only journalist who attended the 2011 state banquet held for President Obama at Buckingham Palace.
NBC News already has a business relationship with ITV. It shares reporters and resources in Africa and the Middle East.
An NBC News spokeswoman declined to comment on the search. Turness was traveling, and neither she nor her office responded to requests for comment.