NBC - REPORT: ZUCKER TO BE NAMED NBC UNIVERSAL CEO

Jeff Zucker, the onetime NBC wunderkind who became the executive producer of the Today show when he was 26, is expected to be named chief executive of NBC Universal as early as Tuesday, when the NBC Universal board meets in New York, according to published reports. Zucker, who is still young at 41, will replace Bob Wright, who is expected to remain at the company as an adviser during a transitional period. Some reports indicated that Wright may retain the title of chairman, at least during the transition, which is expected to take several months. The appointment comes one week after former GE Chairman Jack Welch disparaged Zucker's tenure at NBC. Asked by New York magazine, "If NBC isn't doing so well, why is Jeff Zucker still in his job?," Welch replied, "'Cause I'm retired."

05/02/2007