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As TV Season Cranks Up, Which Network Boss Is Under the Most Pressure?

Oct 3, 2011  •  Post A Comment

As the new broadcast season gets up to speed the pressure is on all top programming executives, but one network chief, NBC’s new top programmer Bob Greenblatt, appears to be under more pressure than the rest, reports the New York Post.

With $1.7 billion spent by advertisers on NBC’s fall schedule, pressure is on to improve the fourth-place network’s ratings, the story notes. But so far, most of his new shows — such as "The Playboy Club" and "Free Agents" — have flopped with viewers.

Greenblatt may get a pass on the failures since he arrived at NBC as the development season was getting started, the story notes. "There are not a lot of bright spots for them,” said Amy Sortiridy, senior vice president at ad firm Initiative. “Greenblatt came in right before development. They may not be his babies.”

But NBC has been mired in fourth place in the ratings for six seasons now, the story points out, and the network’s new owner, Comcast, is eager to see that trend reversed.

One new NBC show, “Up All Night,” is off to a good start, while another bright spot continues to be the network’s NFL deal, which effectively guarantees a ratings win each Sunday night in fall.

Meanwhile, ABC entertainment head Paul Lee faces some pressure of his own, as the network looks ahead to replacing long-running hits “Desperate Housewives” and “Grey’s Anatomy,” the story points out.

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