Fox Exec: NBC Announcement ‘Smoke and Mirrors’

Following Wednesday’s announcement by NBC that it was revamping its upfront and scheduling processes, Fox executives say their network has already been doing for years what NBC is planning.

“It’s kind of humorous that Mr. Zucker makes an announcement that pretty much describes our strategy and approach over the last few years. It is total smoke and mirrors,” Fox programming and scheduling chief Preston Beckman is quoted as saying in Broadcasting & Cable.

He added, gripingly, “If anyone should be getting credit, it is us. He is basically saying, ‘We are going to imitate the No. 1 network.’”

NBC co-chair refused to take the bait, simply responding that NBC’s announcement is about value and an overall process change, not about who was first.

Campbell Mithun senior vp and director of media negotiations John Rash said, regardless of which network did it first, it’s which network does it best that is most important. “And to the degree that any network can have a true 52-week season [it] is the direction the entire industry needs to head.”

Beckman also poked fun at the announcement that NBC’s upfront would differ from past years in that it would not be a straight-up presentation at Radio City Music Hall. Rather, it would be more of a trade show, with content from NBC and its cable networks on display. Beckman asked if it would be some sort of carnival: “Is there a Ben Silverman kissing booth? A Jeff Zucker dunking booth?”