As NBC News prepares a shift in the executive ranks at “Today,” Broadcasting & Cable‘s Michael Malone talks to the NBC affiliates (subscription required) about the program, which has been dethroned by ABC’s “Good Morning America” this year.

“My news director would prefer it to be more heavy news than fluffier—he and I have had that conversation,” says Derek Rogers, general manager at WMGT Macon (Ga.), who adds that he has not seen a difference.

Most feel it’s a personnel issue — that Ann Curry’s Today promotion, and subsequent departure, was mishandled; that Matt Lauer was dinged up in the imbroglio; and that Savannah Guthrie hasn’t yet won her way into America’s bedrooms and family rooms. “I believe they simply went through transition/growing pains after Meredith’s departure that exposed weaknesses in their legacy dominance,” says Evan Pappas, president/ general manager at KOAA Colorado Springs, who expresses “great confidence” in the Today brain trust getting things moving.

Longtime KOAA sports director Lee Douglas died suddenly on Sunday after suffering kidney failure.  He was 57.

“Lee was a legend in this town,” KOAA president and general manager Evan Pappas said in a statement.  “He had the kindest, gentlest manner about him and was universally loved inside and outside KOAA.  It’s sadly ironic that this news comes on Super Bowl Sunday, but losing someone you’re this close to–any day–is heartbreaking.”

Douglas spent nearly 30 years with the Colorado Springs NBC-affiliate.  He had served as the station’s sports director since 2000.  In addition to his work at KOAA, Douglas was the color commentator for Air Force football games. Read more

Jennifer Horbelt, who signed off from WPSD in Paducah yesterday, has been named the new morning anchor at KOAA in Colorado Springs, TVSpy has confirmed.

Horbelt will begin at KOAA on December 19. She replaces Georgiann Lymberopoulos, who is leaving the station after 17 years to raise her infant twins.

“Jennifer is bright, compassionate and full of life,” KOAA general manager Evan Pappas said in a statement. “After a nationwide search, we found Jennifer, the perfect addition to our number one morning team.”

Horbelt began her career as in intern at WPSD and worked her way up to evening anchor over the course of her five years with the station. (Watch video of her sign-off from WPSD inside.) Read more

After 17 years at KOAA, morning anchor Georgiann Lymberopoulos announced today that she will leave the station to spend more time with her young twin daughters.

“I am sad to leave my channel 5 family, but I know this is the best decision for my family,” Lymberopoulos said (video inside).

KOAA, the NBC-affiliate in Colorado Springs, is expected to announce a replacement for Lymberopoulos this week. “We understand that her family always comes first,” general manager Evan Pappas said in a statement. “That said, with Georgiann’s history at News5, the door is always open for her to come back.”

Lymberopoulos has been the morning anchor at KOAA since joining the station in 1994. In announcing her departure, she told viewers she would be with the station for a few more weeks. Read more