FIRST OFF . . .

NBC News President Michael Gartner announced Wednesday that his unit has undergone a “major restructuring” aimed at increasing efficiency. Miami bureau chief Donald Browne has been named “executive news director,” overseeing all bureaus, correspondents and producers and coordinating coverage for all NBC News programs. Browne will report jointly to Gartner and senior vice presidents Joe Angotti in New York and Timothy Russert in Washington. The changes do not affect anchor Tom Brokaw, who remains managing editor of “NBC Nightly News.” In a statement, Gartner said the restructuring was aimed at eliminating duplication of effort that will “make life easier for correspondents and producers in the field and producers and writers on the programs.” Gartner also gave “Today” show director George Paul additional duties overseeing the on-air look of NBC News programs. Bob Keyes, director of news planning, was named director of news operations and will serve as Gartner’s special assistant. “NBC Nightly News” has been in third place in the news ratings for more than a year, and NBC remains the only network with no prime-time news programming, though the new “Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow” is slated for later this year.