Zucker to take Over
This article is from the archive of The New York Sun before the launch of its new website in 2022. The Sun has neither altered nor updated such articles but will seek to correct any errors, mis-categorizations or other problems introduced during transfer.
LOS ANGELES (AP) – Jeff Zucker, who made his mark as executive producer of NBC’s “Today” show, is expected to be named chief executive of NBC Universal this week, a newspaper reported Sunday.
Mr. Zucker, 41, will succeed Bob Wright, who has headed the network for 21 years, sources told the Los Angeles Times in a story.
The transition comes as NBC Universal angles itself to compete against online forces such as Google, YouTube and MySpace, the paper reported.
Mr. Wright, 63, had planned to stay on as CEO at least until the end of the year, sources said. But Jeffrey Immelt, chairman of General Electric Co., the owner of NBC Universal, insisted the change come immediately.
The casual, creative Zucker is seen as a contrast to the more cerebral and buttoned-down Mr. Wright. He has been Mr. Wright’s second in command since December 2005 and has long been considered the favorite to succeed his boss.
The Harvard graduate joined the network in 1986 as a sports researcher for its Olympics coverage. He moved to “Today” in 1989, and three years later, at 26, became the show’s executive producer.
In 2000, Mr. Zucker took over NBC’s prime-time entertainment division. He kept profits up by extending “Friends” for two additional seasons and by embracing reality shows like “The Apprentice” and “Fear Factor.”
Besides its headquarters in New York, NBC Universal has West Coast operations that include Universal Studios, KNBC Channel 4, two Spanish-language television stations, and TV and film production facilities in Universal City and Burbank.
