Jeff Zucker set to change NBC budget

NEW YORK, Feb. 10 (UPI) -- The new CEO of NBC Universal, Jeff Zucker, is expected to cut $750 million out of the U.S. network's budget, mostly from the news department.

As a former member of the NBC news team, Zucker has slipped ideas about lengthening "Today" to four hours, as well as keeping "To Catch a Predator" and other crime-oriented shows, the Daily Variety reported.

In addition to already announced cost reductions in the "NBC 2.0" plan, The "crime pays" message is being pressed hard.

Zucker also promised that NBC will undertake further changes as the network adapts to the future.

"We're never going to stop asking if we're correctly structured and properly set up," he said.

CBS chairman Leslie Moonves was in a similar situation when he shook up CBS News, but he was met with resistance from those who said they are "pure" about the news, the report said. He ended up passing the responsibility along to CBS Sports President Sean McManus and hiring Katie Couric.