Date: 11th January 2001

What Does It Take To Become A Network Programmer?


Jeff Zucker, NBC's new entertainment president, suggested Wednesday that it really doesn't take much expertise to program a television network. "I come to this job as a viewer," he told reporters at the winter television press tour in Pasadena, CA. He said that he makes a choice "every night of my life at home" about what makes a good show and what makes a bad one.

"I'm going to go with my gut," he said. "It has served me well in my past -- we're going to be testing my gut now." He also indicated that unlike other executives, he has not developed relationships with producers and talent that could influence his programming decisions. "I don't have any allegiances," he said. "I'm not going to be beholden to big names."

Source: Studio Briefing