Most of that kit is preset at the various locations, overseen by a site producer who has spent days or weeks sweet-talking the locals and nailing down the home-base shoot sites, interview spots, permits, etc. Lauer and company just roll in a few hours before air. The kit is indeed shipped commercial in advance at great expense (but nothing compared to the profit the Today Show generates for NBC). Much too risky to hit a new remote site cold on such short notice and start unpacking your stuff. Riskier still when you consider all the international borders, customs, hold-in-bond processes, etc. for all that expensive machinery. Imagine missing a day of air because your cameras are being held up in some Namibian customs shed.