Posted Friday, Jan. 10.

NBC’s Lack heads for Sony Music

An announcement is imminent that NBC President Andy Lack has been named chief executive officer of Sony’s troubled music division, which had abruptly cut loose Tommy Mottola Thursday.

Mr. Lack, a newsman who rose to network president in June 2001 but who has had a strained relationship with NBC Chairman Bob Wright, is a longtime friend of Sony America Chairman Howard Stringer. They met when both were working at CBS News, where Mr. Lack spent 17 years before being named NBC News president in 1993.

Mr. Lack, 55, was described as “excited” about the Sony Music challenge, which is going to require getting the division’s financial house in order.

NBC had no immediate official comment, but early indications are that Mr. Lack will not be replaced and that Mr. Wright will once again be the executive to whom all divisions report directly.