Neal Shapiro steps down

NBC News president Neal Shapiro resigned yesterday. He said he "wants a new challenge" and that he misses creative work. However, his resignation has been rumored for months. (Sunday's New York Times Magazine reported the announcement would take place this week.) Criticism of Shapiro sharpened as Today was challenged by ABC's GMA. According to the Baltimore Sun:

...there has been a growing sentiment within NBC that Shapiro was the wrong person to lead the news division. After eight years producing Dateline, he had trouble adjusting to the high-profile, fast-paced demands of a management post, according to network sources familiar with the news division. Known for his reserve and a deliberative manner, the news president had difficulty measuring up to the effusive personality of his predecessor, Andrew Lack, who now runs Sony BMG.

No successor has been named yet.