• by Wayne Friedman , November 27, 2012

Jeff Zucker, former chief executive of NBCUniversal, could be nearing a deal to head CNN, according to a number of reports.

CNN has had its ratings troubles over the last few years -- but rebounded somewhat during the Presidential election. Outgoing CNN Worldwide President Jim Walton cited the cable news network needed "new thinking" when he announced his departure in July of this year.

Zucker has a strong resume of senior executive TV news positions, early on as the executive producer of NBC's iconic morning series,  "Today", in the 1990s, and later on as president of NBC Entertainment, News and Cable Group. He assumed the top rung of the company as president/CEO of NBCUniversal in 2007 replacing Bob Wright.

Zucker departed NBCUniversal soon after Comcast Corp. took over majority ownership of company from General Electric in January 2011.

He is currently executive producer of the Disney-ABC Domestic Television syndication daytime talk show, "Katie", hosted by Katie Couric. Couric worked with Zucker on the "Today" show.