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NBC

Controversies

Controversies tied to this brand in public sources. A listing is not a finding of fault.

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  1. 2026

    DOJ opens Sherman Act antitrust investigation into five TV networks over suspended White House pool coverage

    Investigation

    The U.S. Justice Department's Antitrust Division is investigating whether ABC, CBS, CNN, NBC and Fox News violated the Sherman Act when they coordinated to briefly suspend pooled White House coverage of President Donald Trump after the Trump administration barred CNN from White House grounds. Justice Department officials contacted the five networks on Friday, asking them to provide communications and other materials related to the White House television pool, and the department publicly acknowledged the Sherman Act inquiry on Saturday. The DOJ says it is examining whether the networks' actions amount to an unlawful group boycott; no determination has been made.

    Source excerpt

    • The Justice Department said in a statement that it is examining whether the White House TV press pool — a group of broadcasters including CNN, Fox News, ABC, CBS and NBC — violated the Sherman Act by temporarily halting pooled TV coverage of Trump.
    • Television pool coverage of the White House has also resumed.
    • The announcement came after the television pool of five broadcasters ceased presidential coverage last month after the administration barred CNN, MS NOW and Politico from the White House.
  2. 2022

    NBC apologizes for misidentifying Mickey Guyton

    Company response

    NBC apologized to Mickey Guyton and Jhene Aiko after its Super Bowl pre-show telecast incorrectly identified Guyton as Aiko. The misidentification drew criticism on social media, including comments that the mistake was racially insensitive.

    Company response

    • Apology — NBC

      The note continued, "We apologize to both artists for the error."

    Source excerpt

    • The misidentification of Mickey as Jhene drew some backlash on social media with critics calling the mistake "tone deaf." A Twitter user wrote, "Jhene Aiko and Mickey Guyton don't look alike. Tighten up NBC. All black folks don't look alike."
    • A few hours after the performance ended, a PR representative for the TV broadcasting company tweeted, "Leading into Jhene Aiko singing 'America the Beautiful,' we incorrectly showed Mickey Guyton and misidentified her before showing Aiko's performance." The note continued, "We apologize to both artists for the error."
  3. 2022

    Heavy Young Heathens sue NBC and others over Olympic song use

    Lawsuit filed

    Heavy Young Heathens filed a lawsuit against NBC, U.S. Figure Skating and figure skating pair Alexa Knierim and Brandon Frazier, alleging that use of their version of “House of the Rising Sun” during the Winter Olympics violated their copyright. The group also alleged that the parties had not contacted them about licensing the track.

    Company response

    • Ongoing disclosure — NBC

      Mick Marderosian, the group's attorney and father, told Reuters the Knierim and Frazier's agent "basically refused to listen to our issue." He also said NBC removed posts of the performance since the lawsuit was filed.
    • Remediation — NBC

      He also said NBC removed posts of the performance since the lawsuit was filed.

    Source excerpt

    • They also allege NBC, USA Network and Peacock never inquired either since it was broadcasted on all mentioned platforms.
    • He also said NBC removed posts of the performance since the lawsuit was filed.
    • Music group Heavy Young Heathens filed a lawsuit on Thursday against NBC, U.S. Figure Skating and figure skating pair Alexa Knierim and Brandon Frazier, saying their copyright for the song "House of the Rising Sun" was violated when the pair used it for their short program earlier this week.
  4. 2021

    Criticism of Orthodox Jewish portrayal in Nurses

    Public backlash

    A social media post criticized the portrayal of Orthodox Jews by the series Nurses, saying it could encourage antisemitism.

    Source excerpt

    • This is the malicious way @nbcnurses portrays Orthodox Jews.
    • Continuous, negative portrayal of Jews invites antisemitism to flourish.
  5. 2021

    NBC faces criticism over Nurses episode

    Public backlash

    Commenters criticized NBC over a Nurses clip that they alleged portrayed Orthodox Jews in an antisemitic manner.

    Source excerpt

    • An NBC official told DailyMail.com that they have pulled the episode from their digital platforms.
    • NBC has been accused of anti-Semitism for the second time in a week after a scene from sitcom Nurses sparked outrage on social media for portraying a Hasidic character in a negative light.
    • The network has spoken with several national Jewish groups in recent days, and is continuing to have conversations with them.
  6. 2021

    Jewish groups criticize Saturday Night Live joke

    Public backlash

    Jewish organizations criticized a joke on Saturday Night Live’s “Weekend Update” about Israel’s vaccination rollout, saying it relied on an anti-Semitic trope. The American Jewish Committee also launched a petition calling on NBC to apologize and retract the claim.

    Source excerpt

    • The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) has criticized a controversial joke made during the Saturday Night Live (SNL) "Weekend Update" segment, where one of the co-hosts said Israel had only vaccinated "the Jewish half" of the country.
    • The American Jewish Committee (AJC) condemned SNL and Che over the joke and launched a petition calling on NBC to apologize and retract the claim made during the segment.
  7. 2020

    NBC pledges possible workplace-practice changes after AGT allegations

    Company response

    NBC Entertainment president Paul Telegdy said that allegations concerning America's Got Talent were under investigation and that NBC would put new practices in place if necessary. Gabrielle Union alleged a hostile work environment involving comments about her hair and racial bias against contestants. The statement addressed the investigation status and the possibility of new practices without specifying outcomes or additional details.

    Stated objective. To improve reporting processes and maintain an inclusive environment, as stated by the producers.

    Company response

    • Investigation — NBC

      the situation is, “in the middle of an investigation,”
    • Remediation — NBC

      if we learn something, we’ll certainly put new practices in place, if necessary
    • Investigation — NBC, Fremantle, and Syco

      NBC, Fremantle, and Syco officials issued a joint statement about the results from an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the firing of the former judge
    • Investigation — NBC

      We are working with Ms. Union through her representatives to hear more about her concerns, following which we will take whatever next steps may be appropriate.

    Source excerpt

    • “We certainly take anyone’s critique who comes to work here incredibly seriously, if we learn something, we’ll certainly put new practices in place, if necessary,” Telegdy said.
    • Union alleged a hostile work environment that included comments about her hair and racial bias against contestants.
    • During the network’s Television Critics Association press tour, on Saturday, the president of NBC Entertainment Paul Telegdy said the situation is, “in the middle of an investigation,” saying the matter is “really serious.”
  8. 2020

    NBC addresses the Shane Gillis casting controversy

    Company response

    NBC Entertainment chairman Paul Telegdy addressed criticism of the vetting process after Saturday Night Live fired cast hire Shane Gillis following the emergence of a podcast episode in which he used racist and homophobic slurs. Telegdy acknowledged that the vetting process needed to improve.

    Company response

    • Clarification — NBC

    Source excerpt

    • NBC and Michaels drew criticism for not vetting Gillis properly enough to uncover his podcast before hiring him. Telegdy acknowledged that SNL's vetting needs to improve, but cautioned against allowing it to become too extreme.
    • The third hire, Shane Gillis, co-hosted Matt and Shane's Secret Podcast and an episode in which he used racist and homophobic slurs emerged, leading Michaels to fire Gillis.
  9. 2020

    NBC Washington affiliate apologizes for tweet about Ralph Northam

    Company response

    NBC's Washington affiliate apologized for a tweet concerning Virginia Governor Ralph Northam's face mask, describing the post as a misjudgment after it attracted significant attention on social media. The apology followed the tweet's wide circulation online. The affiliate characterized the tweet as an error in judgment without providing further details in the available summary.

    NBC’s Washington affiliate apologized for a tweet about Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam’s face mask, calling it a misjudgment after it drew significant attention on social media.

    Company response

    • Apology — NBC’s Washington affiliate

      Correction: We made a misjudgment in a tweet about Gov. Northam’s face mask. We sincerely apologize for the error

    Source excerpt

    • NBC’s Washington, D.C. affiliate apologized on Monday for a “misjudgment” that appeared to poke fun at Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam for his infamous blackface scandal.
    • The NBC affiliate apologized for the tweet after it garnered significant attention on social media.
  10. 2020

    NBC apologizes for an inaccurately edited Barr interview clip

    Company response

    NBC apologized after its Meet the Press program aired an inaccurately shortened clip of an interview with Attorney General William Barr. The clip omitted remarks relevant to the program's commentary. NBC stated that the clip was cut inadvertently and inaccurately, and that it regretted the error.

    Company response

    • Apology — NBC

      NBC has apologized for “inaccurately” cutting a portion of an interview with Attorney General William Barr that left a false impression with viewers of “Meet the Press.”

    Source excerpt

    • In apologizing for the mistake, NBC tweeted that it “inadvertently and inaccurately” cut the video.
    • NBC has apologized for “inaccurately” cutting a portion of an interview with Attorney General William Barr that left a false impression with viewers of “Meet the Press.”
  11. 2020

    Jeremy Roenick sues NBC over his termination

    Lawsuit filed

    Former NBC Sports hockey analyst Jeremy Roenick sued NBC, alleging he was wrongfully fired for being straight and supporting Trump. NBC said it terminated his employment after he made indecent comments on air.

    Source excerpt

    • Fired NBC Sports Analyst Sues Saying He Was Fired For Being Straight And Supporting Trump
    • NBC said Roenick made indecent comments on the air, but they did not take action against a gay colleague who made similar remarks.
  12. 2020

    NBC faces backlash over Trump town hall scheduling

    Public backlash

    NBC faced public backlash after announcing a live town hall with President Donald Trump scheduled for the same time as Joe Biden's town hall on another network.

    Source excerpt

    • The time and date of the event is also scheduled for the exact same time as a town hall event with Joe Biden on a respective network.
    • NBC is facing fierce backlash after revealing they would televise President Donald Trump in a live event on the same night as the cancelled presidential debate.