On Monday, TVNewser reported that several producers on 'Today' and 'Dateline' have been shown the door in recent weeks. Yesterday, Drudge followed up with a "flash:" "NBC News cuts staff on eve of holiday: Layoffs earlier in week, says source. At least 15 staffers cut from 'Dateline,' cuts reached CNBC foreign bureaus."

An insider adds: "Morale is at an all-time low; producers dont even know what stories to pitch anymore. People say the problem is Zucker micromanaging like he does everywhere."