• by Wayne Friedman , June 6, 2007

Just a month after Chris Albrecht's ouster at HBO, Time Warner has named Bill Nelson to chairman and CEO of the pay cable channel.

Nelson, the HBO's chief operating officer, had been the interim leader of HBO after Albrecht was relieved of his duties. He was forced out after being arrested by Las Vegas police while he allegedly choked his girlfriend in a parking lot outside the MGM Grand during an alcoholic binge.

As part of the announcement, HBO also promoted three veteran executives--Harold Akselrad, Eric Kessler and Richard Plepler--to the newly created positions of HBO co-president. All will report to Nelson.

Nelson has been with HBO for 23 years. As COO, he has been responsible for domestic and international marketing and affiliate relations for the HBO and Cinemax networks, global home-video distribution, content and licensing, film acquisitions, finance, legal and human resources.

Harold Akselrad had been general counsel and executive vice president of legal, business affairs and film programming for Home Box Office.

Eric Kessler was previously president, sales and marketing for Home Box Office, responsible for marketing and affiliate sales of the HBO and Cinemax pay television brands.

Richard Plepler was executive vice president of HBO, involved with all creative aspects of the company, including serving as a member of HBO's program planning committee.