Paul Telegdy and Meredith Ahr have extended their contracts within the alternative space at NBC Entertainment, and Ahr has been tapped to head up a new Universal Television Alternative Studio.
The initiative, which will run parallel to Universal Television, is intended to supply reality and other alternative series to broadcast and cable networks.
Ahr will continue to report to Telegdy from her new post. Reporting to Ahr at the studio will be Senior Vice Presidents Enrique Guillen, George Sealey and Fernando Hernandez, who lead the development team and helps oversee a bold roster of producers and talent deals.
Meanwhile, Telegdy has been named president of NBC Entertainment’s Alternative and Reality Group. And why not? He’s overseen hits like “The Voice,” “American Ninja Warrior” and “Little Big Shots” during his tenure. He’ll keep reporting directly to NBC Entertainment Chairman Bob Greenblatt.
“Paul is in a class by himself in the area of alternative programming, which is one of the biggest strengths of NBC and a key reason why we have returned to a leadership position among networks,” said Greenblatt. “Part of the strategy was setting up a studio, to be run by Meredith, that will provide us with the biggest reality hits of the future, whether on NBC or other programming services and to territories around the world.”
Greenblatt concluded: “Paul comes to us with a global understanding of this business and I’m pleased that he will continue to make this company his home after such a winning track record that began so dramatically with ‘The Voice.’”
“Meredith is an exceptional creative executive and leader, with the rare combination of being fiercely competitive, smart and humble,” Telegdy added. “There is not a successful alternative franchise on this network that hasn’t been influenced and energized by her expertise and insight into what audiences crave.”
Telegdy has been in his current post since 2011 after he was promoted from executive vice president, Alternative Programming, NBC and Universal Television.
Before arriving at NBC and Universal Television Studios, Telegdy served as Sales, Content and Production EVP at BBC Worldwide America.
For the last seven years, Ahr — who helped develop “The Voice” and “AGT” — has managed the entire team of alternative current and development executives for the network.
Her career at NBC began in 2001 when she joined the network as a page in New York, seating guests at “Saturday Night Live.”