It has been over 20 years since NBC had rights to broadcast NBA games. Its last run was during the 90s, which coincided with Michael Jordan's reign over basketball.

Kotb's last day will be Jan. 10. She announced in September she was leaving the program after 17 years to spend more time with her children.

Kotb has been at NBC for 26 years, including on the Dateline and Today programs. She said she decided to leave her role after she recently turned 60.

Some of the ratings growth could be explained by a more U.S.-friendly time zone difference. Then there's the joy: Athletes aren't required to wear masks, and fans are allowed in the stands.

NBC's hiring and firing of former GOP chief Ronna McDaniel may inspire more distrust from conservatives. Yet journalists said her role in trying to overturn the 2020 election made her unacceptable.

Ronna McDaniel — former head of the RNC and Trump ally — has been dropped by NBC following both internal and public pushback after the network hired her as a paid contributor.

For many people, Black or not, A Different World and the fictional Hillman College offered their first look at Historically Black Colleges and Universities and most importantly, the culture, sound, and feel of a n HBCU. Tonight, the show's original stars Jasmine Guy, Kadeem Hardison, Cree Summer, Dawnn Lewis, Darryl M. Bell, Charnele Brown and Glynn Turman reunite in Atlanta as part of a national HBCU tour in honor of the impact the iconic NBC television series, which ran from 1987 to 1993.

Apart from Bennett's exit, the announcement from Saturday Night Live also includes the departure of Lauren Holt, two promotions and three new hires at NBC's sketch comedy series.