In an article headlined "Grinch-like NBC Nixes Station Parties," the online site News Blues , which primarily features postings by disgruntled broadcast employees, reported today that NBC is cutting back on holiday parties this year as part of an effort to cut "discretionary costs."

The Web site printed a letter from Tom O'Brien, General Manager of NBC-owned WVIT in Hartford, CT. It reads in part: "

Many of you may know from the trade and consumer press, that there has been a significant slow down in the advertising marketplace across the country since the Olympics. This slow down in revenues has put NBC, and many other media companies, under pressure to control discretionary costs. As a result of this, all NBC divisions and businesses are being asked to not have any holiday parties this December. Unfortunately, this means that we will not be having our December 3rd holiday party as originally planned."

Source: Studio Briefing