Craig Melvin ‘Under Pressure’ at NBC: ‘It Comes Down to Ratings’ (EXCL)

The solid and crew of At present welcomed Craig Melvin with open arms as he assumes Hoda Kotb’s empty seat, however the broadcaster now finds himself underneath huge stress to ship after community bosses ponied up an eye-popping $7 million wage to lock him in, which is a giant step up from his earlier paychecks, a supply solely tells Nearer.

“No one’s questioning whether or not he’s value it, he’s a really proficient man who’s labored very exhausting for this chance,” the insider says. “Your complete staff is on board with him taking over this function, however in fact, the stress is basically on as a result of he’s bought big sneakers to fill.” 

Craig, 45, started his profession as a neighborhood anchor and reporter for WIS-TV in his native South Carolina. He finally made it to a Washington D.C.-based community earlier than signing on with NBC in 2011 because the MSNBC Dwell weekend anchor. The veteran broadcaster climbed the ranks on the community, finally touchdown the function of fill-in host for At present earlier than getting his stripes as a full cohost. 

Fellow cohost Savannah Guthrie stated the transfer to bump Craig up was acquired warmly by his coworkers. “The workers discovered this morning, and other people broke into applause,” Savannah, 52, stated of the newest change to the present’s roster. “This is without doubt one of the hottest selections NBC has ever made.”

Whereas everyone may be cheering Craig on for the second, it stays to be seen precisely how execs at NBC will really feel about him as a principal host sooner or later. The supply notes that, though he has assist from everybody up and down the ladder on the community, the ultimate test can be adjustments in viewership.

“Hoda is a complete legend,” the insider continues, “The viewers beloved her and so did the community. Craig has plenty of goodwill and little doubt he’ll throw himself into the job and provides it the whole lot he’s bought, however finally it’s going to come right down to the scores.” 

“The bosses are going to be watching with eagle eyes,” the insider provides. With Hoda, 60, lighting up her last Rockefeller Tree as her ultimate farewell on Wednesday, December 4, any change in viewership tendencies can be chalked as much as the change in hosts, which suggests “if issues seem like slipping, all of the fingers can be pointing at Craig.” Surely, the baited breath Craig is now ready with earlier than bigwigs verify the numbers has bought him underneath “an enormous quantity of stress.” 

Nonetheless, hopes are excessive for the brand new choose, particularly amongst his cohosts. Savanna even performed an necessary half in getting Craig the gig, the supply says. “She had a giant hand in choosing him for this job, however the viewers goes to have the ultimate say.”

“Everybody appears to be assured that he’s up for the problem and he and Savannah have a pure chemistry, in the event that they begin to tune out his job can be on the road, there’s simply no getting round that. He’s undoubtedly going to be within the sizzling seat for some time.”