NBC Entertainment chairman Robert Greenblatt has elevated Paul Telegdy to the newly created position of president, alternative and late night programming, adding late-night oversight to the network reality chief's job description
Telegdy is the chief program executive who ushered in NBC’s recent hit series “The Voice,” as well as reinvigorated “America’s Got Talent” and “Sing-Off,” to name a few.
He takes over for the departing Rick Ludwin, who has overseen NBC's late night operation for three decades.
Here's the release:
UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. – September 15, 2011 – Program executive Paul Telegdy has been promoted to the newly created position of President, Alternative and Late Night Programming, NBC, from Executive Vice President, Alternative Programming, NBC, it was announced today by Robert Greenblatt, Chairman, NBC Entertainment.
Telegdy is the chief program executive who ushered in NBC’s recent hit series “The Voice,” as well as reinvigorated “America’s Got Talent” and “Sing-Off,” to name a few. He has also been responsible for a robust slate of specials, including “The Golden Globes,” “The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade” and last year’s primetime Emmy telecast.
“Paul is an exemplary executive who has tremendous creative vision in the area of unscripted programming which makes him perfect for this expanded role,” said Greenblatt. “He delivered a powerful new franchise in ‘The Voice’ and is overseeing NBC’s continued success with hit reality series such as ‘The Sing-Off,’ ‘America’s Got Talent,’ ‘The Biggest Loser’, ‘Celebrity Apprentice’ and the upcoming ‘Fashion Star,’ to name just a few. I know he will bring his uniquely inventive eye to our venerable late-night institutions and I’m personally pleased that he is extending his relationship with NBC as we seek to build the best team of top executives possible.”
Rick Ludwin, who has held various executive programming posts at NBC for the past 31 years, will segue from his current position as EVP, Late Night and Primetime Series, to a consultancy for the network.
"I couldn't have asked for or imagined a more rewarding job than the one I've had at NBC,” said Rick Ludwin, “To have been a part of TV history with ‘Seinfeld’, our late night franchises, ‘Saturday Night Live’ and with all our producers, writers and talent has been unbelievable. Since I was a kid it was a dream of mine to work at NBC. I got to do it and continue to be grateful."
“Rick Ludwin has contributed an enviable legacy in his three decades at NBC, particularly in late-night programs, where he made seminal changes to the TV landscape working with such NBC greats as Johnny Carson, Jerry Seinfeld, and legends such as Bob Hope," said Greenblatt. "We look forward to continuing our relationship with Rick as he moves from the executive ranks to his role as a valued consultant."
NBC has delivered a number of significant unscripted successes in recent months, led by the April launch of "The Voice," which averaged a 5.5 rating, 15 share in adults 18-49 and 13.7 million viewers overall, making it NBC's top-rated new series since "Heroes" was launched in the fall of 2006. Among all entertainment series on ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox and CW this season, “The Voice” ranked behind only “American Idol” in adults 18-49.
So far this summer, "America's Got Talent" is averaging a 4.0/12 in 18-49 and 14.0 million viewers overall for its Tuesday telecast, making this the show's top-rated cycle ever and keeping "Talent" the #1 summer show in total viewers for a sixth year in a row. And last December, year two of "The Sing-Off" (3.2/8 in 18-49, 9.2 million viewers overall) grew versus year one by 28 percent in 18-49 rating and 27 percent in total viewers, to deliver the biggest increases for any returning series this season on ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox or CW.
NBC has also generated exceptional results with such special programming as “Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade,” which last November delivered the #1 entertainment rating of that full week in adults 18-49, with its 5.9 rating, 25 share topping all primetime non-sports telecasts on all the major networks. The parade's average 22.1 million viewers was the event's second-biggest audience in nine years. In January, the "Golden Globe Awards" attracted its biggest overall audience in four years (17.0 million viewers) and the August 2010 telecast of the critically acclaimed Emmy Awards on NBC, hosted by Jimmy Fallon, also achieved a four-year high (13.5 million). In June, the "Miss USA Pageant" hit a five-year high in total viewers (7.4 million) and in July, "Macy's Fourth of July Fireworks Spectacular" delivered its biggest overall audience (8.7 million) in 11 years.
Telegdy previously was Executive Vice President, Alternative Programming, NBC and Universal Television, since December 2008.
Telegdy oversaw NBC’s unscripted series and specials programming, including such major franchises as "America’s Got Talent," "The Celebrity Apprentice," "The Biggest Loser," "Minute to Win It," "The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade," and the “Golden Globes."
Before arriving at NBC and Universal Media Studios, Telegdy served as Executive Vice President, Sales, Content and Production, BBC Worldwide America from March 2008 until December 2008 while based in Los Angeles. At the BBC, he increased the business market value by 100-fold. He also drove new business models and development across the company, negotiated major distribution and productions deals, and nurtured new relationships with platforms for BBC content and intellectual property.
Earlier, Telegdy was Senior Vice President, BBC Productions Los Angeles, and BBC Worldwide America. During this time, he developed "Dancing with the Stars," which has become one of the industry’s perennial top series hits.
Prior to that, Telegdy was Executive Producer of the NBC alternative series "Grease: You’re the One That I Want," the ABC alternative series “Dance War: Bruno vs. Carrie-Ann." On the scripted side, Telegdy executive-produced the comedy pilot “I’m with Stupid" for NBC, “The Thick of It” for ABC and the CBS series "Viva Laughlin" in his role as Executive Vice President, Content and Production, BBC Worldwide America from April 2007 to March 2008.
Telegdy graduated with honors from the University of London with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Korean and Japanese.
