Network newscasts take hit from Hurricane Michael

“NBC Nightly News,” forced to deviate from its planned visit to Tampa on its “Across America” tour, used a special Hurricane Michael open.

In a bit of an atypical move, anchor Lester Holt broadcast from a stationery position (unlike a floating ramp or along the beach as during Hurricane Florence coverage), though in fairness he may have had enough excitement after having to barricade his hotel room window with a mattress. The background behind him did show broken trees and structures but were farther in the background that CBS and ABC’s setups. 

You've heard of #VideoWalls, but now @LesterHoltNBC and crew have invented Mattress Walls… https://t.co/hH28kgLt1L

— NewscastStudio (@newscaststudio) October 10, 2018

The newscast also included a package from Kerry Sanders that showed him showing how fast the water reached the beachfront — and then almost getting blown away before being rescued by Weather Channel meteorologist Jim Cantore.

Al Roker joined ‘Nightly’ from the ‘Today’ studio video wall to provide coverage.