NBC Universal has cut a number of pretaped segments from its “aggressive and comprehensive coverage” of the royal wedding because insiders fear Prince William and Kate Middleton are “too boring,” according to sources.
Insiders told Page Six that some news producers, editors and on-air talent will head to London later than previously scheduled because brass have scaled back the number of pretaped packages to run before the April 29 nuptials — including stories of the royal lovebirds’ childhood and their families.
“The US public’s interest was not what they thought,” sniped an NBC insider. “Kate and Prince William are both really boring.”
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NBC Universal still plans arguably the most exhaustive programming plans of any network group for the wedding, including having all its “Today” show hosts report live from the UK. It has also scheduled live updates from London on the Weather Channel and a festive “Watch What Happens Live: Royal Wedding Spectacular” with host Andy Cohen.
But sources told us worries over viewer fatigue resulted in a decision to cut up to half of the pretaped footage. “They’re alloting fewer resources to it because they’re afraid it’s not going to rate well,” said one.
For example, a “Dateline” special, which usually includes all pretaped segments, will air a two-hour “instant documentary” on the wedding day hosted by Ann Curry, comprised of footage from the ceremony.
A rep for NBC denied the story, saying in a statement: “This could not be more false — NBC News has the most aggressive and comprehensive coverage of the royal wedding, as you will see when you tune in to ‘Today’ starting Friday at 4 a.m. to ‘Dateline’ at 9 p.m. and on MSNBC, Telemundo, etc.”
The rep added: “This has been the plan from the beginning . . . Cheerio!”