Chelsea Clinton’s much-trumpeted deal with NBC seems to be nearly done. Her contract is for only 90 days, and while she’ll provide the network with two more stories, sources say it is not certain she’ll immediately sign again.
Some sources believe Chelsea was “set up for a fall” after NBC trumpeted her deal to become a full-time special correspondent for the network in the New York Times in November.
NBC News president Steve Capus said Chelsea would work on its “Making a Difference” series on “Rock Center” and “Nightly News.” Capus told the Times, “We both want to see how this goes . . . But I hope it’s the beginning of a nice, long-term relationship.” He didn’t mention at the time it was for 90 days.
So there was huge anticipation for her Dec. 12 debut. Time wrote, “While it was never going to have the magnitude of the moon landing, the amount of hype leading up to Chelsea Clinton’s debut . . . was akin to one small step for Chelsea, one giant leap for network television.” The Washington Post’s Hank Stuever wrote after it aired, “Either we’re spoiled by TV’s unlimited population of giant personalities or this woman is one of the most boring people of her era.”
Our source said NBC “created unrealistic expectations. Chelsea wanted a 90-day contract to see if she liked it. It’s possible she will do more for NBC in the future, [but] she doesn’t know if she’ll sign another contract.”
An NBC News rep said, “100 percent false. You will see more pieces from Chelsea. She has been warmly welcomed into this news division, and we can’t be more pleased with her work. We hope she will be with us for a long time. There was no over-hyping of her role.”
A Clinton rep added, “Chelsea is at the beginning of her contract, and when she gets closer to the end, discussions will begin about whether or not to renew. In the meantime she is very much enjoying her time there and looking forward to her next piece airing.”