Well if they needed to go to a motel to do the interview, and NBC paid for that motel, I don't think of that as compensation. If NBC did the interview in their studio they would have paid to fly them out there as well, I think of compensation for an interview more like "do this interview with us and we will pay you $20,000.00"
That's just me though..
I'm with you there. Expenses are one thing... compensation is generally meant as above and beyond the logistical expenses.