CEO: WRAL-TV gets better with NBC partnership

"I'll be very happy to push the button Monday morning for the "Today" show," said Jim Goodmon, Capitol Broadcasting president and CEO.

This historic transition may require viewers to reprogram any scheduled recordings of their favorite shows. Whether that is necessary will depend both on a viewer's hardware and software.

"Every DVR is different. Every service provider is different," said WRAL-TV General Manager Steve Hammel. "They (individual viewers) should check their own programming and ensure that if they need to make a change on their DVR they do that by Feb. 29."

WRAL News will remain the same. The local news reporters, photographers and support staff are staying put. WRAL will continue to produce documentaries and special prime-time programs, thanks, in part, to the strong support from NBC.

"The network supporting what we are trying to do locally means a lot to us," Goodmon said. "And we felt very comfortable with that fit."

WRAL leaders said they are very comfortable with NBC's strong news reputation and evening programs. WRAL viewers will also benefit from NBC sports coverage

Hammel pointed out that the Olympic Games are carried by NBC. "We are going to be doing a lot of previewing of local athletes," he said. "Coach K is the coach of the U.S. Men's National Basketball Team."

The WRAL-NBC marriage promises to be a strong, long-term relationship.

"WRAL-TV is going to be even better, in terms of our local programming, in terms of our network programming," Goodmon said. "The whole concept is going to be even better. Watch!"