Jeff Zucker To Leaves as President of NBC

Posted Sep 24, 2010 by Walt Belcher

Updated Sep 24, 2010 at 01:18 PM

Broadcasting & Cable magazine is reporting that NBC Universal CEO Jeff Zucker said Friday he will be leaving the company when it is acquired by Comcast.

In a note sent to NBCU staffers, Zucker said , “it is clear to me that this is the right decision for me and for the company. Comcast will be a great new steward, just as GE has been, and they deserve the chance to implement their own vision.”

Under Zucker NBC had some successes such as “The Today Show” and the company’s cable outlets such as Bravo, USA, Syfy, Oxygen and CNBC grew. And Zucker was instrumental in creating online video service Hulu.

But there were blunders, too, including moving Jay Leno to prime time, only to bring him back to late night. And then there was the loss of Conan O’Brien who was paid $40 million to leave NBC.

Zucker also pushed out programming executive Kevin Reilly, who went to Fox and is responsible for “Glee,” the highest-rated show on TV right now among adults 18-49.

He also failed to keep NBC’s prime-time in pace with its rivals.  NBC is currently in fourth place among adults 18-49 (2.7 rating/7 share) and total viewers (7.5 million).

In an interview with the New York Times, Zucker said Comcast chief operating officer Steve Burke made it clear the cable company wanted its own management in a meeting two weeks ago. Until this point, Zucker had been maintaining that he expected to stay at NBC, despite persistent speculation that he would be out after the acquisition was completed.

“Look, I knew from the day this was announced that this was a possibility,” Zucker told the Times. “I wasn’t going to shut the door on anything. But in the last nine months it became increasingly clear that they did want to put their own team in place - and I didn’t want to end up being a guest in my own house.”

Comcast CEO Brian Roberts issued a statement wishing Zucker well in his future endeavors. “Jeff Zucker has devoted his entire professional life to NBC, and he has led the company with integrity and purpose,” he said. “The success of NBC Universal puts us in a wonderful position as we plan for our joint venture with GE.”

As CEO of NBC Universal, Zucker tried to emphasize the success of the company’s cable networks and other assets while criticism focused on problems at the NBC broadcast network, particularly in primetime dating back to when Zucker ran the entertainment division.

“Do I wish we’d had more success at NBC Entertainment in recent years? Yes, of course,” Mr. Zucker said.

In his note to staffers, Zucker said that Comcast “will inherit a company in very good shape, with almost every one of our divisions enjoying their best year ever. The current strength of the company is a tribute to every one of you and the terrific leadership team that is in place.”

Zucker said he didn’t know what his own plans were. “I’ve spent the last 24 years thinking only about NBC Universal, and never contemplated anything else. I haven’t even begun to think about the next chapter,” he said.