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Jeff Zucker was named President of the NBC Universal Television Group in May 2004. Zucker is responsible for all programming across the company’s extensive television properties, with the exception of NBC Sports and Olympics. His responsibilities include the company's entertainment, news and cable properties, as well as the company’s television studio, first-run syndication and global distribution efforts. Zucker reports to Bob Wright, NBC Universal’s Chairman and CEO.
Zucker had served as president of the NBC Entertainment, News & Cable Group since December 2003. Before that he had served as president of NBC Entertainment since December 2000, during which time he oversaw the network’s entire entertainment schedule.
Under Zucker's leadership, NBC was the top-rated network among the key adults 18-49 demographic for four consecutive seasons, during three of which NBC led key demographics in every major daypart, a feat no other network has ever achieved. Zucker put his mark on the network with such successes as "Las Vegas," "Law & Order: Criminal Intent," "Scrubs," "Fear Factor," and "The Apprentice." He originated the idea of supersizing NBC's comedies and revitalized the network's summer programming with original fare that has paved the way to year-round programming. Also on Zucker's watch, Bravo generated dramatic ratings gains and Telemundo revitalized its primetime lineup and began to show significant growth.
Before joining NBC Entertainment, Zucker served as executive producer of NBC News’ Today since September 1994 and from 1992 to 1993. Under his leadership, Today was the nation’s most-watched morning news program, with viewership during the 2000-01 season reaching the highest point in the show’s history. Zucker has also served as executive producer of NBC’s coverage of several major events of the last decade, including the Decision 2000 election night broadcast, the 1993 and 1997 presidential inaugurations, and the Persian Gulf War.
Zucker’s other positions with NBC News include executive producer of the NBC newsmagazine Now with Tom Brokaw and Katie Couric.He first served as executive producer of Today from January 1992 to May 1993. He was appointed at age 26, which made him the youngest executive producer in the history of the program. He also served as executive producer of NBC Nightly News with Tom Brokaw from February 8 through March 19, 1993.
Zucker joined NBC News as a field producer for Today in January 1989. In April 1990, he became Katie Couric’s producer when she was named the show’s national correspondent. He first joined NBC in 1986 as a researcher for NBC Sports’ coverage of the 1988 Summer Olympic Games in Seoul, South Korea. From 1986 to 1988, he traveled the world, compiling and writing background information that was used by NBC Sports commentators and producers, prior to and during the network’s coverage of the Olympics.
Zucker, a five-time Emmy Award winner, graduated from Harvard College in 1986 with a degree in American history. He served as president of The Harvard Crimson from 1985 to 1986. He and his wife, Caryn, have three children. | 