• by Wayne Friedman , February 7, 2007

Jeff Zucker, as expected, has been named president/CEO of NBC Universal. He replaces Bob Wright, chairman of NBC Universal, who held the top spot after 21 years on the job, effective immediately.

What was unexpected was that Zucker would be named to the top job so quickly. It was assumed that a transition would occur at the end of the year. But Jeffrey Immelt, chairman/CEO of General Electric, which owns NBC, said the company was looking to move more quickly.

"We became convinced at the end of last year--he was the right guy for the job," he said. "At our company, it is always about helping the next person being successful." Immelt added that with promotions at GE, it's not just about past successes: "It's about how fast they can learn, and how fast they can change."

Immelt praised Zucker's efforts in the net's big growth areas: NBC's cable networks, Telemundo, and its news division. He said NBC prime time is a natural concern, but there are other issues.

"There is a whole lot more to NBC than just prime time," said Immelt, adding: "Jeff knows we want to be No. 1."

Zucker said he already had a great team of executives, some of whom will experience a shift in responsibilities soon. "We have terrific operators in place," he said. "I will look to them. I don't think I will be hands-on, unless it is called for."

While Zucker will be the main executive, he didn't get the chairman title that Wright currently has. Immelt says he will assume that title--but the responsibilities won't really change that much. Immelt said he hoped Wright will remain as vice chairman of GE through 2008.

On the piracy issue, Zucker said he would remain as vigilant as Wright. For example, Zucker said NBC has already had run-ins concerning illegally posted video content on YouTube. NBC has a marketing/content deal with YouTube.

"We have been sending them take-down notices as we have seen fit," he said.

In regard to the NBC Universal 2.0 cost-cutting plan announcement this past December, Zucker said: "We have made great progress. It cuts across every division--across all of our news and information properties. The actions on the entertainment side and the film side are well underway."

By way of comparison, Wright started at the top as an NBC executive in 1986, the same year Zucker was hired out of Harvard--first landing as a researcher in the NBC Sports department.

Zucker had a quick rise to the top, and his ascension as the head of NBC has been rumored for some time.

Added Immelt: "It was the worst-kept secret of the business."