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Zucker named NBC Universal chief
2007-02-06
Jeff Zucker's rise from directing Katie Couric in the morning to running a huge media conglomerate was completed Tuesday, as parent General Electric Co. announced his appointment as president and CEO of NBC Universal. Zucker succeeds veteran television executive Bob Wright, who will become a vice chairman at GE after more than two decades of running NBC. "Jeff Zucker is a terrific talent and the right person to guide NBC Universal on the next stage of its growth," Jeffrey Immelt, GE chairman and CEO, said in a statement. "Jeff's 20-plus years with NBC give him deep knowledge of the company's strategy, people and culture. In the past few years, Jeff has shown that he is an energetic, focused leader who can rise to a challenge." In addition to directing NBC's attempts to revive its prime-time fortunes, Zucker is in charge of a stable of networks including USA, CNBC, MSNBC, Bravo, Sci Fi and Telemundo. The company also owns the Universal theme parks in Florida and California. Zucker, 41, must also keep the large company nimble as the Internet transforms the old habit of watching TV on a television in your living room. Zucker began as a sports researcher at NBC and was named executive producer of the "Today" show at age 26, leading NBC's biggest moneymaker in its most successful stretch. He became NBC entertainment president in 2000 and, in 2005, became the company's No. 2 behind Wright. Brash and occasionally combative, Zucker has survived two bouts with cancer on his sprint to the top. NBC's broadcast network tumbled from first to fourth over the past few years, but has shown a few signs of life with critical successes recently. It remains atop the ratings in morning and evening news and in late-night entertainment.
Zucker named NBC Universal chief (2007-02-06)1 (11285)
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