Mark Lazarus Upped to Chairman of NBC Broadcasting and NBC Sports as Ted Harbert Exits

Chairman of NBC Broadcasting Ted Harbert is departing NBCUniversal and NBC Sports Group Chairman Mark Lazarus will be upped to Chairman of NBC Broadcasting and NBC Sports, according to a Deadline, which cited an internal memo sent out by NBCU CEO Steve Burke. Harbert’s last day will be Oct. 14.

Mark Lazarus, Chairman, NBC Broadcast and NBC Sports

“The businesses Ted oversees are firing on all cylinders and he is ready to look for his next challenge outside of NBCUniversal. Ted has had a great 40-year career in television and has played a significant role at Comcast and NBCUniversal since he joined E! in 2004. Ted’s encyclopedic knowledge of the television business, creative instincts and enthusiasm have had a positive impact on so many of us. He has been an important adviser to me and a great colleague and mentor to many of you. I know Ted’s heart will always remain in the television business, and I look forward to seeing what he accomplishes next.”

According to the memo, Lazarus will expand his duties and become Chairman, NBC Broadcasting and Sports. Lazarus will continue to lead the NBC Sports Group while adding oversight of the NBCUniversal Owned Television Stations (run by Valari Staab), NBC Affiliate Relations, (headed by Jean Dietze), NBC Affiliate Marketing (headed by Scot Chastain), NBC Network Operations (managed by Tina Silvestri) and Broadcast Standards (run by Alan Wurtzel).

“Mark has had a major impact on NBC Sports and NBCUniversal since joining the company in 2011. Mark and his team have a winning culture and the quality of NBC Sports’ coverage is unsurpassed, from the Olympics and Sunday Night Football to the Premier League, Golf, NHL and NASCAR. Mark’s energy, intelligence and character will be great assets to NBC Broadcasting, as they have been at NBC Sports.”

The memo also says George Cheeks and Paul Telegdy of NBC Entertainment will assume responsibility for NBC’s first-run syndication business (led by Valerie Schaer and Ed Swindler). Jeff Bader will be responsible for the Broadcast Research group (run by Alan Wurtzel).

Kevin MacLellan will become Chairman, Global Distribution and International, adding oversight of Domestic Television and New Media Distribution (led by Frances Manfredi) to his current role leading NBCU’s international businesses.MacLellan will now be responsible for television sales on a global basis.

Maggie McLean Suniewick will become President, NBCUniversal Digital Enterprises. In this newly-created role, McLean Suniewick will head a division dedicated to building new digital businesses. Suniewick and her team will lead the company’s digital business strategy, forge partnerships with new media and technology companies and head NBCU’s efforts to deliver premium content to emerging platforms.

CLICK HERE to read Burke’s full memo.