George Cheeks Tapped as NBC Late Night Chief

Former Viacom executive joined the network in 2012

George Cheeks

NBC’s late-night TV slate has a new boss in George Cheeks, a person with knowledge of the situation told TheWrap.

Officially, his new title is Executive Vice President Business Operations and Late Night, NBC Entertainment. In the role, Cheeks will work hand-in-hand with Alternative and Late Night Programming President Paul Telegdy.

Previously, NBC Broadcasting Chairman Ted Harbert pulled many of the post-11 p.m. strings, particularly when “The Tonight Show” moved from Jay Leno‘s Burbank, Calif. location to Jimmy Fallon‘s New York City.

NBC’s late night slate has been doing very well, with Fallon’s version of “The Tonight Show” regularly besting his rivals. “Late Night With Seth Meyers” even occasionally tops the earlier “Late Show” on CBS.

In 2012, NBC hired Cheeks to be its chief deal negotiator, or, per his old business cards: EVP Business Operations, NBC Entertainment and Universal Television.

Deadline first reported the news of the executive’s new role.

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