That guy responsible for laying off 700 NBC staffers? Yeah, he's taking over the company.
Of course you know the name Jeff Zucker. Now you'll know him as the CEO of NBC Universal, taking over for Bob Wright. "Four people at the company" confirmed Zucker will be named to the top spot this week, putting to bed any notion that … oh, wait, this is news to nobody..
• Boston University's students will now be able to get course credit for recording Saturday night's keg stands on their Razr. [Cinematical]
• Not content to own merely the gossipy Digg-like site Lipstick.com, Conde Nast picks up Reddit too. [TC]
• Fox 411's Roger Friedman originally reported (and sticks by) Studio 60's cancelation. But GE chief Bob Wright says he wants to see the series remain on air. [Fox 411]
• Newspaper circulation may be plummeting, but why would that worry analysts? [E&P]
• The amount of money MSLO is burning through was less this quarter. More good news: Martha gets a third season. [TV Week]
• Tori Spelling gets another TV deal. Though it's only for six episodes. And it's on Oxygen. [TV Week]
We apologize in advance for this second helping of "old guy news," but honestly, we're just happy there's gossip at all. This bit is from Page Six, and starts the rumor that Bob Wright, head of NBC for the past 20 years, is being replaced.
Besides divulging the scoop that a search is on, Page Six's source also shares these behind-the-scenes details.
A source also said a series of informal lunches and dinners are planned at which GE chairman Jeffrey Immelt (who would choose Wright's replacement) can meet prospective candidates.
NBC spokesman Cory Shields, however, is in total denial.
"That is simply not true," said Shields. "It sounds like a rumor started by someone who wasn't invited to Bob's 20th-anniversary celebration last week."
Ha! That's awesome. Just goes to show, you should always invite the assistant — and Richard Johnson*.
NBC CHIEF 'ON THE WAY OUT' [Page Six]
*Richad may have been invited, we have no idea, but get the joke? He started the rumor? It's in Page Six?
NBC Universal chief Bob Wright – who we care dearly for because of his not-so-silent antipathy for MSNBC head Rick Kaplan – sent out a company-wide missive earlier today announcing some new organizational changes afoot. These aren't the kind that Time Inc. just announced — those, after all, involved 105 job cuts. Nah, Bob Wright just wants folks to know who is to answer to who (or is that whom?).
Jeff Zucker is named Chief Executive Officer and Randy Falco is named President & Chief Operating Officer of the newly integrated NBCU Television Group. Beth Comstock is appointed to the new position of President, NBC Universal Digital Media and Market Development. Jeff and Beth will report directly to me with Randy now reporting to Jeff in his new role.
After the jump, the full email with the handy new "Who's your daddy?" breakdown at NBC Universal.
CONTINUED »
