CNBC long form unit VP to depart

"Broadcasting & Cable" reports vice president of CNBC's long form unit, Josh Howard, will leave the network when his contract expires next week. Sources say Howard did not seek contract renewal because of "cuts looming at CNBC."
The long form unit was formed three years ago to produce investigative pieces and "[offer] viewers a deeper dive with single-topic documentaries." The unit just received its third Emmy award Tuesday for an episode of the newsmagazine "Business Nation" that examined Brazil's new status "as the world's new farming superpower."
But even in its short history, the long form unit has experienced some problems. It was downsized when "Business Nation" was canceled. The unit continues to produce documentaries on a monthly basis but the high cost of producing these pieces will inevitably force CNBC to look to the unit when trimming its budget "as part of a $500 million across-the-board slash at NBC Universal."
Howard joined CNBC three years ago after his abrupt departure from a long career at CBS News. Howard was asked to resign after a report aired on "60 Minutes II" about President Bush's service in the Texas National Guard during the Vietnam era. Howard was the executive in charge of the piece.
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