Bob Greenblatt leaves NBC; Paul Telegdy and George Cheeks take over

Bob Greenblatt resigned as President of NBC Entertainment with immediate effect. Greenblatt will be replaced by Paul Telegdy and George Cheeks, who have been appointed co-chairs of NBC Entertainment – primarily serving as Greenblatt.

Telegdy, who has been with the peacock for a decade, was most recently president of the Alternative and Reality Group at NBC Entertainment. Cheeks, who first joined NBC in 2012, had a rare double cable and broadcast contract with the company, as co-president of Universal Cable Productions and Wilshire Studios, and President of NBC Entertainment's Night Programming.

"It's with very shared feelings that I've decided to leave NBC after nearly eight years," Greenblatt said in a note to his team. "I love this network and our parent company, but since NBC is back on track and has been so successful, I think it's time for me to take on a new challenge.

Greenblatt will serve as a network consultant during the transition and will also continue to help NBC with one of its greatest passions: live musicals now signed by the network.

Steve Burke, CEO of NBC Universal, has officially announced the transition to the staff in a memo this morning.

"It was a difficult decision for Bob, but after a series of extremely successful years at NBC and as much as I'd like him to stay, he's ready to take on a new challenge," Burke wrote. "I can not thank Bob enough for the incredible success that NBC has achieved over the past eight years. He was the architect of one of the biggest turnarounds in the history of networked television, leading NBC from last place when he started at NBCU after the acquisition of the company by Comcast. This year, Bob led NBC to become the most-watched network in the household ranking for the first time in nearly two decades. He also brought a winning spirit to the network and attracted the best creative talent in the industry. "

Paul Telegdy and George Cheeks, co-chairs of NBC Entertainment

NBCUniversal

Promoting Cheeks and Telegdy, Burke wrote, "We are fortunate to have two extremely talented, knowledgeable and complementary executives within our organization ready to help and guide us in the future. Having worked closely with George and Paul for years, I am convinced that their creative instincts, their relationships with talents and their business skills make them perfect partners for this work. Both leaders are loved by their teams and highly respected by the entire industry. "

The change at the top of the NBC chain comes on the first day of the new television season – and CBS, ABC and Fox also undergo major changes at the top. At CAS, long-time CEO Leslie Moonves was recently deported after several allegations of sexual misconduct; Joe Ianniello is acting CEO, but a new permanent boss could be in the works. At ABC and Fox, as IndieWire wrote last week, an announcement is imminent: Peter Rice, CEO of 21st Century Fox, and Dana Walden, President of Fox TV Group, will occupy top positions at Disney / ABC TV Group. New Fox 'network for a period of time.

Greenblatt joined NBC Universal in January 2011, following its acquisition by Comcast. As President, Greenblatt's supervision covered all aspects of the day's programming in prime time, late-night and scripted, including Universal TV and Universal TV Alternative Studios, Business, Marketing, Communications, Planning, west coast research and digital operations.

Greenblatt was previously president of entertainment at Showtime, helping to propel the network into the scripted series game with shows like "Weeds," "Dexter," and "Shameless." He was also a producer, one of the main officials of Greenblatt-Janollari. Studio ("Six Feet Under") and a Broadway producer ("A Gentleman & # 39; s Guide to Love and Murder") awarded a Tony Award.

At NBC, Greenblatt helped turn the network around with shows such as The Voice, This Is Us and Dick Wolf's Chicago series. His legacy, however, could be NBC's live music events, starting in 2013 with "The Sound of Music Live!", Followed by "The Wiz Live!", "Hairspray Live!" And "Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert" ".

"I'll admit that when Steve Burke recruited me, I was not sure that a turnaround was possible," Greenblatt wrote.

Here's Burke's entire memo:

I am writing to inform you that Bob Greenblatt has decided to leave his position as President of NBC Entertainment. It was a difficult decision for Bob, but after a series of extremely successful years at NBC – and as much as I would like him to stay – he is ready to embark on a new challenge.

I can not thank Bob enough for the incredible success that NBC has achieved over the past eight years. He was the architect of one of the biggest turnarounds in the history of networked television, leading NBC from last place when he started at NBCU after the acquisition of the company by Comcast. This year, Bob led NBC to become the most-watched network in the household ranking for the first time in nearly two decades. He also brought a winning spirit to the network and attracted the best creative talent in the industry.

Under his leadership, NBC has produced many successful shows including "This Is Us", "The Voice", "Will & Grace", "The Good Place", "The Blacklist" and the Chicago franchise to name a few. -uns. . In addition, he contributed to NBC's seamless transition into late night television, which allowed us to maintain our dominant position in a highly competitive environment. He also transformed the studio side of our business, re-establishing Universal Television and setting up our new alternative studio. These studios produce many of the best TV shows for NBC as well as for other platforms, including scripted shows such as "Bates Motel", "Brooklyn Nine-Nine", "The Mindy Project", "Master of None" and "Kimmy Schmidt Unbreakable", as well as "World of Dance" and "The Wall" on the unscripted side of NBC.

One of Bob's most innovative accomplishments has been bringing the live music genre back to networked television, creating an annual NBC tradition that is the envy of our competitors. From the first production of "Sound of Music", which brought together 22 million viewers, to Emmy Award-winning and award-winning "Jesus Christ Superstar Live In Concert," these comedies engage audiences in a new way and help reinvent live TV.
More importantly, Bob deserves the credit of having recruited the strongest management team in broadcast television, a team he would be the first to recognize the impressive performance of the network.

To that end, I am pleased to announce that George Cheeks and Paul Telegdy have been promoted co-chairs of NBC Entertainment, overseeing the network and its two studios. We are fortunate to have two extremely talented, knowledgeable and complementary executives within our organization who are ready to step in and guide us into the future. Having worked closely with George and Paul for years, I am convinced that their creative instincts, their relationships with talents and their business skills make them perfect partners for this work. Both leaders are loved by their teams and highly respected by the entire industry.

Paul is a visionary and energetic leader who has helped develop some of the biggest unscripted television hits today. He played a key role in revitalizing NBC by acquiring "The Voice" in 2011 and developing it into the first big hit that propelled NBC to first place. He has also developed "American Ninja Warrior", "World of Dance", "Ellen's Game of Games" and "America's Got Talent", which has just won the title of the best alternative show on television. Under his leadership, Universal Television Alternative Studio has been launched, which is poised to become a major global player. His passion for broadcasting is evident in everything he does, including his ability to convince top talent, such as Jennifer Lopez, Amy Poehler, Dwayne Johnson and Kelly Clarkson, to make NBC their home.

George is a strategist and a master negotiator who knows how to get things done in the NBCU. He has done an outstanding job directing commercial operations for NBC and as co-president of Universal Cable Productions and Wilshire Studios. As President of NBC's Late Night, he has also been instrumental in the success of one of the most popular and lucrative television series in the industry. George's ability to build strong relationships has earned him the confidence of some of our greatest talents, including Lorne Michaels, Jimmy Fallon and Seth Meyers.

To ensure a smooth transition, Bob has agreed to continue to consult with Paul and George, as needed, and continue to work on our live musicals.

Please join me in congratulating Paul and George for their new roles, and wishing Bob the best in his future endeavors – which we hope will be to do business with us whenever possible.

Here is a successful send-off for the new fall season!

And here is the complete memo of Greenblatt:

To all my colleagues at NBC –

It is with very mixed feelings that I decided to leave NBC after nearly eight years. I love this network and our parent company, but since NBC is back on the market and has been so successful, I think it's time for me to take on a new challenge.

I'll admit that when Steve Burke recruited me, I was not sure that a turnaround was possible. But Steve – and Brian – were determined to rebuild NBC and they made it clear from the first day. I had unconditional support from them, including a solid investment in the network, and this support has continued to this day. None of this could have happened without their commitment to me and this company and I will never forget it.

None of this could happen without your commitment. I am so proud of what we accomplished together, including a five-year run (and counting) at # 1 in 18-49 and virtually every other show. We have also become the most-watched network in America for the 2017-18 season, which, frankly, has never been possible in my mind. And while people tend to give me too much credit for these steps, the truth is that they only happened through incredible management teams throughout society.

Each of my direct reports, your senior leaders, are at their peak. And I'm glad that Paul Telegdy and George Cheeks are involved in my role, because I think it will create a smooth transition for everyone. These are two of the most talented people I've worked with and I'm glad Steve decided to promote them. They are well known to everyone in the business and entertainment community because passionate and talented leaders and NBC will be in good hands with them in their new role.

I would also like to personally thank and thank the other senior executives – Jeff Bader, Len Fogge, Chip Sullivan, Brad Melnick, Jodi DiCenzo, Tracey Pakosta, Lisa Katz, Pearlena Igbokwe, Lee Straus, Masami Yamamoto, Meredith Ahr and Rob Hayes. who are also the best in their respective fields. It sounds like a broken record, but it's really a dream team. I would also like to thank Jennifer Salke and Kathy Mandato, who have also made an indelible contribution to rebuilding this business over the past seven years.

Beyond these leaders, I am well aware of the depth of talent that is reflected in each of their respective teams. I know that the day-to-day operation of a broadcast network in today's competitive environment is an extraordinary challenge, but you all do it effortlessly. And I do not doubt that it will continue in the future.

I especially want to thank Mark Lazarus for being an excellent friend and network management partner in recent years, not to mention making this place the first sport class. Likewise, I have to thank the Affiliate Council and all of our wonderful resorts that have been in sync with us on this turnaround from day one. Without their unshakeable vision, none of this would have happened.

There are also many people in other NBCU divisions that I will thank personally, all of whom have shown me and this network, great support in many ways. It's really a unified media company that works together like I've never seen before, which is a testament to Steve Burke's incredible leadership.

Finally, I would like to congratulate all the creators, producers, directors, writers, crews and actors of the extraordinary series with whom I have had the pleasure of working over the years at NBC. We are nothing without their excellent work. I can not name them all here, but it has been very rewarding to help realize their visions and continue the legacy of this network. NBC is one of the great cultural institutions of the United States, and the opportunity to lead it into a new era is a privilege of which I will always be grateful.

S & # 39; register: Stay on top of the latest news from film and television! Sign up for our information letters by e-mail here.