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CNN Makes It Official, Puts Former NBC Boss Jeff Zucker in Charge of CNN Worldwide

Nov 29, 2012  •  Post A Comment

CNN announced today that Jeff Zucker, former head of NBC, has been named president of CNN Worldwide. We reported earlier this week that the announcement was expected soon.

Making the announcement was Phil Kent, chairman and CEO of CNN parent company Turner Broadcasting System Inc.

“In January 2013, Zucker will assume executive oversight of a portfolio of 23 branded news and information businesses that includes CNN/U.S., CNN International, CNN.com and HLN and reaches more than 2 billion people in some 200 countries around the world,” the company announced. “Zucker will report to Kent and will be based at CNN in New York.”

Zucker spent 25 years with NBC, starting as a researcher working on the 1988 Summer Olympics and rising to president and CEO of NBCUniversal. His news experience at the network included executive producing “Today” and “NBC Nightly News with Tom Brokaw” and overseeing NBC’s coverage of the Persian Gulf War, the 1993 and 1997 presidential inaugurations and the 2000 elections, among other top stories.

He went on to be president of NBC Entertainment, president of the NBC Entertainment, News & Cable group and president and CEO of the NBC Universal Television Group. More recently he has been executive producer on Katie Couric’s daytime talk show “Katie.”

Said Kent: “Jeff’s experience as a news executive is unmatched for its breadth and success. He built and sustained the number-one brand in morning news, and under his watch NBC’s signature news programming set a standard for quality and professionalism. As a programmer, a brand-builder and a leader, he will bring energy and new thinking to CNN. I couldn’t be happier to welcome him or more excited about what he’ll accomplish here.”

Zucker added: “I am thrilled to join the distinguished team of journalists across the worldwide platforms of CNN. The global reach and scale of the CNN brand is unparalleled in all of news. Outside of my family and the Miami Dolphins, there is nothing I am as passionate about as journalism. I spent the most rewarding years of my career as a journalist, and it’s where I look forward to spending many more.”

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