MacDailyNews Take: We imagine the cheers must have been deafening.
Carter continues, “In an interview at NBC’s executive offices, Mr. Zucker, who is 45, said the decision to leave the only employer he has ever worked for — a decision that he acknowledged was not his own choice — became inevitable after a meeting two weeks ago with Steve Burke, Comcast’s chief operating officer… ‘Look, I knew from the day this was announced that this was a possibility,’ Mr. Zucker said. ‘“I wasn’t going to shut the door on anything. But in the last nine months it became increasingly clear that they did want to put their own team in place — and I didn’t want to end up being a guest in my own house.'”
MacDailyNews Take: Basement, Jeffie, not house. Right where you put it.
Carter continues, “While he often faced withering criticism in Hollywood circles for his leadership of the entertainment division of the NBC network — in his note to the staff he mentioned the ‘ups and downs’ the company had experienced — Mr. Zucker said he did not detect ‘any particular reason’ beyond the broad desire for new leadership for Comcast’s inclination to make a change.”
MacDailyNews Take: Here’s the reason: You suck and you’re a visionless schmuck who took a once-great network and reduced it to a perennial ratings basement dweller. It’s not difficult to detect the reason why you finally got the pink slip you’ve deserved for so long, Jeffie.
Carter continues, “Mr. Zucker conceded that his legacy at NBC would be colored by what he called “the rap on me,” which has centered on his failure to solve chronic problems in the most high-profile (if not the most high-earning) part of the NBC empire, the prime time hours on the broadcast network. ‘Do I wish we’d had more success at NBC Entertainment in recent years? Yes, of course,’ Mr. Zucker said. He acknowledged one recent widely publicized blunder, the effort to shift NBC’s late-night star Jay Leno to prime time. He said the move had been a risk worth taking, but one ‘that simply didn’t work out.'”
Carter reports, “As for his future, Mr. Zucker said: ‘I don’t know. I never really thought about it because for 24 and a half years I only thought about this place. I have a lot of interests, producing, politics, sports, business.’ Friends have previously suggested Mr. Zucker might try to enter political life. ‘Am I interested in politics? Yes,’ he said. ‘Is it something I am going to do right away? No.'”
MacDailyNews Take: Oh, for God’s sake, that’s all we need, yet another visionless politician. Can you please move to another country before you jump into politics, Jeff?
Full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: Congrats, NBCU! There’s hope for you yet! May NBCU’s next CEO have a clue and a clear vision for the future (hint, hint: Apple TV).
[Thanks to MacDailyNews Readers “Terry P.” and “Jay in DC” for the heads up.]
So Zucker’s the one behind the Leno disaster?
Good ridance. Any dummy, including me, could
have told him the Leno thing wouldn’t work.
So Zucker’s the one behind the Leno disaster?
Good ridance. Any dummy, including me, could
have told him the Leno thing wouldn’t work.
I just read this in Variety. I KNEW MDN was gonna jump on this story. Couldn’t happen to a “nicer” guy. Love how befuddled Zucker (spelled with an F) is about his own legacy and clueless about why he needs to be drop-kicked outta there fast! There’s a similar feel as to how Steve Ballmer obviously also thinks he’s the right man for the job as the orchestra plays on the sinking company Titanic. Their egos preclude any realization that they are the root of the problem.
I just read this in Variety. I KNEW MDN was gonna jump on this story. Couldn’t happen to a “nicer” guy. Love how befuddled Zucker (spelled with an F) is about his own legacy and clueless about why he needs to be drop-kicked outta there fast! There’s a similar feel as to how Steve Ballmer obviously also thinks he’s the right man for the job as the orchestra plays on the sinking company Titanic. Their egos preclude any realization that they are the root of the problem.
You think Zucker was bad… you watch the idiots and anti-net-neutrality morons Comcast installs.
You think Zucker was bad… you watch the idiots and anti-net-neutrality morons Comcast installs.
Wow it was only yesterday I said watch that itch in your back zuky, I didn’t realise my crystal ball was that high definition.
Wow it was only yesterday I said watch that itch in your back zuky, I didn’t realise my crystal ball was that high definition.
Oh, but Olivia Munn’s new sitcom is going to fix everything…….NOT
Oh, but Olivia Munn’s new sitcom is going to fix everything…….NOT
The Zucker needs to go.
The Zucker needs to go.
Very much doubt that Comcast will be interested in the iTV any time soon. They are as protectionist as Verizon.
Very much doubt that Comcast will be interested in the iTV any time soon. They are as protectionist as Verizon.
Comcast is not going to be any friendlier to Apple. Comcast is in the business of crushing the kind of competition that Apple represents.
Comcast is not going to be any friendlier to Apple. Comcast is in the business of crushing the kind of competition that Apple represents.
I hope Comcast packs Leno’s bags with Zucker and brings back Conan into the Tonight Show slot…but I guess it’s too late for that. Leno ain’t funny, ever.
I hope Comcast packs Leno’s bags with Zucker and brings back Conan into the Tonight Show slot…but I guess it’s too late for that. Leno ain’t funny, ever.
appleTV – you are kiddding right.. – Comcast is in charge now – they will do everything in the power to keep shows in their control only. Seems like having a cable company also control the network and own all the content is a conflict of interest…
appleTV – you are kiddding right.. – Comcast is in charge now – they will do everything in the power to keep shows in their control only. Seems like having a cable company also control the network and own all the content is a conflict of interest…
Put all doubt aside Jeff and change the first letter of your last name to F. A name that would truly fit you.
Put all doubt aside Jeff and change the first letter of your last name to F. A name that would truly fit you.
Only thing worse than Zucker is Comcast now owning NBC. You think AppleTV will ever see any programming from them, forget about it. I live in Oregon, and as a DishTV subscriber I can’t even watch my hometown NBA team because they stupidly signed a 10 year deal with Comcast Sports… which will NOT make it available to other cable or satellite systems, even if they want it. The won’t allow it to be included in any basic plan, even if the other company wants to absorb the cost and not pass it on to their customers… Comcast sucks, and they are trying to become a huge player in content, when they should just stick to their jobs as a nice fat pipe. I will not support any Comcast programming, period.
Only thing worse than Zucker is Comcast now owning NBC. You think AppleTV will ever see any programming from them, forget about it. I live in Oregon, and as a DishTV subscriber I can’t even watch my hometown NBA team because they stupidly signed a 10 year deal with Comcast Sports… which will NOT make it available to other cable or satellite systems, even if they want it. The won’t allow it to be included in any basic plan, even if the other company wants to absorb the cost and not pass it on to their customers… Comcast sucks, and they are trying to become a huge player in content, when they should just stick to their jobs as a nice fat pipe. I will not support any Comcast programming, period.
to be replaced by Jack Donaghy.
to be replaced by Jack Donaghy.
Called it yesterday at 11AM pacific. Zucker says no to Apple, again?
Comcast, who bought NBC, doesn’t suffer fools and certainly isn’t going to tolerate the likes of someone who is knee-deep in but… but, that’s how we always did it at NBC
Zucker was born and raised in conventional television and couldn’t think beyond the paradigm of tradition. He couldn’t envision a program delivery system that wasn’t explicitly tied to the television.
That is the fate of someone who is shadowed by ass-kissers.
Zucker got Zuckerberg’d.
the old guard of NBC.
Called it yesterday at 11AM pacific. Zucker says no to Apple, again?
Comcast, who bought NBC, doesn’t suffer fools and certainly isn’t going to tolerate the likes of someone who is knee-deep in but… but, that’s how we always did it at NBC
Zucker was born and raised in conventional television and couldn’t think beyond the paradigm of tradition. He couldn’t envision a program delivery system that wasn’t explicitly tied to the television.
That is the fate of someone who is shadowed by ass-kissers.
Zucker got Zuckerberg’d.
the old guard of NBC.
the only time i watched NBC was on sunday nights from the months of September – Early January.
they lost me after Seinfeld.
the only time i watched NBC was on sunday nights from the months of September – Early January.
they lost me after Seinfeld.
Bye you asswipe
Bye you asswipe
I think that explains a lot. If NBC was Zucker’s “only” employer then he is so disconnected from reality it’s a joke. I don’t think he did a good job at NBC at all – as a network they’ve become a total joke and their secondary networks pump out “monk” clones and spinoffs continually it’s ridiculous.
Hopefully Zuckey can find a nice cave to live out the rest of this dumb life in. But I still don’t think this will change Apple’s relationship with NBC.
I think that explains a lot. If NBC was Zucker’s “only” employer then he is so disconnected from reality it’s a joke. I don’t think he did a good job at NBC at all – as a network they’ve become a total joke and their secondary networks pump out “monk” clones and spinoffs continually it’s ridiculous.
Hopefully Zuckey can find a nice cave to live out the rest of this dumb life in. But I still don’t think this will change Apple’s relationship with NBC.
On MDN’s take: are you guys stupid or something…?? “NBCU’s new CEO having a clue and clear vision for the future (hint, hint: AppleTV.)” <yes, the period goes inside the parentheses>
You guys obviously haven’t been following any of Comcast’s strategies… they don’t give a shit about the customer. They’re more interested in having control of the whole pie. The turndown of Apple’s 99¢ per episode rental likely didn’t come from Zucker, but from the new owners, Comcast. I’m sure if they can copy the AppleTV, they’ll offer their own device instead, and they’ll have all their cable system programming to offer on it, and the high speed internet service to run it through… I don’t think they’ll be interested in Apple trying to take a piece of what they consider their own, exclusive pie. Comcast buying any network is a bad thing, and soon NBC programming won’t be available on any other cable system or satellite TV systems.
On MDN’s take: are you guys stupid or something…?? “NBCU’s new CEO having a clue and clear vision for the future (hint, hint: AppleTV.)” <yes, the period goes inside the parentheses>
You guys obviously haven’t been following any of Comcast’s strategies… they don’t give a shit about the customer. They’re more interested in having control of the whole pie. The turndown of Apple’s 99¢ per episode rental likely didn’t come from Zucker, but from the new owners, Comcast. I’m sure if they can copy the AppleTV, they’ll offer their own device instead, and they’ll have all their cable system programming to offer on it, and the high speed internet service to run it through… I don’t think they’ll be interested in Apple trying to take a piece of what they consider their own, exclusive pie. Comcast buying any network is a bad thing, and soon NBC programming won’t be available on any other cable system or satellite TV systems.
If he got fired does he qualify for unemployment benefits? One last poke in the eye to NBC watchers!
If he got fired does he qualify for unemployment benefits? One last poke in the eye to NBC watchers!
As TV consumers, we’ve been tossed out of the frying pan and straight into the inner most circle of hell.
Comcast has geo-monopolies. In areas where they provide cable, they’re the only ones who provide cable.
That’s fine. We discovered long ago that it’s better to *regulated* monopolies to utilities rather than having overlapping infrastructure where space was constrained. Although, we’ve more recently found that having infrastructure isolated from the service providers allows for competition and benefits the consumers even more.
That’s the problem here.
Comcast owns the cable. Comcast owns what goes into the cable (video, Internet, voice). That alone is too far and should be separated where practicable. But allowing *programming* in the cable by allowing Comcast to own NBC is just mind-blowingly f’d up.
Do the math, there’s more money in providing shows for $.99 than there is for broadcast/cable and getting (on average) $1.6 million in advertising revenue.
For the networks, like NBC, it’s worth transitioning entirely off broadcast. The battle is based on the greed for even better terms. But for Comcast, the issue becomes one of losing cable revenue and then increased costs for the Internet. Comcast will go kicking and screaming into the future.
Worse, Comcast will use its position to hold NBC content hostage in order to build competitive services…specifically On-Demand services where NBC content will be freely available.
Yes, that will make a lot of sense. You can watch NBC via Comcast On-Demand for free, but you can’t pay $.99 to watch it via iTunes (or other services).
As TV consumers, we’ve been tossed out of the frying pan and straight into the inner most circle of hell.
Comcast has geo-monopolies. In areas where they provide cable, they’re the only ones who provide cable.
That’s fine. We discovered long ago that it’s better to *regulated* monopolies to utilities rather than having overlapping infrastructure where space was constrained. Although, we’ve more recently found that having infrastructure isolated from the service providers allows for competition and benefits the consumers even more.
That’s the problem here.
Comcast owns the cable. Comcast owns what goes into the cable (video, Internet, voice). That alone is too far and should be separated where practicable. But allowing *programming* in the cable by allowing Comcast to own NBC is just mind-blowingly f’d up.
Do the math, there’s more money in providing shows for $.99 than there is for broadcast/cable and getting (on average) $1.6 million in advertising revenue.
For the networks, like NBC, it’s worth transitioning entirely off broadcast. The battle is based on the greed for even better terms. But for Comcast, the issue becomes one of losing cable revenue and then increased costs for the Internet. Comcast will go kicking and screaming into the future.
Worse, Comcast will use its position to hold NBC content hostage in order to build competitive services…specifically On-Demand services where NBC content will be freely available.
Yes, that will make a lot of sense. You can watch NBC via Comcast On-Demand for free, but you can’t pay $.99 to watch it via iTunes (or other services).
So what’s next for NBC?
Well, I believe Zucker’s replacement will not come from his current chain of command. Everyone isn’t just going to move up one slot.
This is a huge step for NBC and it will take time to root out all of the mindless people who have getting by on lip service.
They say a fish rots from the head down and the Frankenfish NBC has been serving for the last ten-years is nothing but scales and bone.
Aaron Sorkin would be a good replacement, but that’s just me.
Here’s my prediction for the future of NBC, Comcast will pull the plug on Hulu and adopt H.264 and invest heavily in iAds.
That’s just my O and I’m probably wrong, again.
So what’s next for NBC?
Well, I believe Zucker’s replacement will not come from his current chain of command. Everyone isn’t just going to move up one slot.
This is a huge step for NBC and it will take time to root out all of the mindless people who have getting by on lip service.
They say a fish rots from the head down and the Frankenfish NBC has been serving for the last ten-years is nothing but scales and bone.
Aaron Sorkin would be a good replacement, but that’s just me.
Here’s my prediction for the future of NBC, Comcast will pull the plug on Hulu and adopt H.264 and invest heavily in iAds.
That’s just my O and I’m probably wrong, again.
Jeff Zucker has always been the anti-Tartikoff. Not sure if Comcast has someone who can do any better, but Zucker has needed the rug pulled out from under him for a long time.
Perhaps he and Eisner can host a talk show together…
Jeff Zucker has always been the anti-Tartikoff. Not sure if Comcast has someone who can do any better, but Zucker has needed the rug pulled out from under him for a long time.
Perhaps he and Eisner can host a talk show together…
@Essence
to be replaced by Jack Donaghy
“Do not mock synergy”…
:-b
@Essence
to be replaced by Jack Donaghy
“Do not mock synergy”…
:-b
“Can you please move to another country before you jump into politics, Jeff?”
Have a care for whom you alienate, MDN.
“Can you please move to another country before you jump into politics, Jeff?”
Have a care for whom you alienate, MDN.
I’d also have to agree that most NBC programming sucked, with the exception of Friday Night Lights… which they didn’t really produce themselves. At least they stuck with it when it wasn’t getting many viewers, and I’ll give NBC, or Zucker, some credit for that. I doubt Comcast would have kept that show going beyond one season.
I’d also have to agree that most NBC programming sucked, with the exception of Friday Night Lights… which they didn’t really produce themselves. At least they stuck with it when it wasn’t getting many viewers, and I’ll give NBC, or Zucker, some credit for that. I doubt Comcast would have kept that show going beyond one season.
@G4Dualie
Aaron Sorkin would be a good replacement, but that’s just me.
I like the idea of putting someone with creative vision into a that role, but it does require some leadership and some executive savvy. Unfortunately, Sorkin is a great and productive writer, but his executive skills (and drug addictions) almost killed West Wing when he was the show runner (the first 4 seasons), during which time they never produced a single episode on time or on budget.
So, I wouldn’t hold out a lot of hope for Sorkin on the executive front….
@G4Dualie
Aaron Sorkin would be a good replacement, but that’s just me.
I like the idea of putting someone with creative vision into a that role, but it does require some leadership and some executive savvy. Unfortunately, Sorkin is a great and productive writer, but his executive skills (and drug addictions) almost killed West Wing when he was the show runner (the first 4 seasons), during which time they never produced a single episode on time or on budget.
So, I wouldn’t hold out a lot of hope for Sorkin on the executive front….
There are a few good things about NBC and most of them occur on Thursdays in the evening or in the 80’s on radio.
There are a few good things about NBC and most of them occur on Thursdays in the evening or in the 80’s on radio.
Run by Zucker, owned by GE, they must have tried to outsource the development and writing to India & China with the rest of everything GE is outsourcing.
Good riddance to BOTH
Run by Zucker, owned by GE, they must have tried to outsource the development and writing to India & China with the rest of everything GE is outsourcing.
Good riddance to BOTH
“You think Zucker was bad… you watch the idiots and anti-net-neutrality morons Comcast installs.”
Exactly, out of the frying pan and into the fire.
“You think Zucker was bad… you watch the idiots and anti-net-neutrality morons Comcast installs.”
Exactly, out of the frying pan and into the fire.
Next Logical Step: Dump ratings snakebelly MSNBC
Next Logical Step: Dump ratings snakebelly MSNBC
@ theloniusMac and @ Bizzaro
You’re both absolutely right.
@ theloniusMac and @ Bizzaro
You’re both absolutely right.
After all the crap I hear about Comcast, I don’t expect them to do any better.
After all the crap I hear about Comcast, I don’t expect them to do any better.
@HMCIV: “If he got fired does he qualify for unemployment benefits? One last poke in the eye to NBC watchers!”
No… to poke NBC watchers in the eye you needed to have said, “What?! You mean a job the Obama Economic Plan could create or SAVE!
” width=”19″ height=”19″ alt=”tongue wink” style=”border:0;” />
@HMCIV: “If he got fired does he qualify for unemployment benefits? One last poke in the eye to NBC watchers!”
No… to poke NBC watchers in the eye you needed to have said, “What?! You mean a job the Obama Economic Plan could create or SAVE!
” width=”19″ height=”19″ alt=”tongue wink” style=”border:0;” />
Ding Dong, The witch is dead, er, uh, Gone.
Ding Dong, The witch is dead, er, uh, Gone.
For all you Fox News fanbois it is a great day. MSNBC will become another right wing outlet. Comcast makes you pay to have it when Fox and CNN are in basic. They put in the most obscure spot so no one will watch it. At least Comcast is a American co. Not a Australian / Saudi Areabean team.
For all you Fox News fanbois it is a great day. MSNBC will become another right wing outlet. Comcast makes you pay to have it when Fox and CNN are in basic. They put in the most obscure spot so no one will watch it. At least Comcast is a American co. Not a Australian / Saudi Areabean team.
Failing Roman generals were invited to fall on their own swords. If they were hesitant to accept the invitation, assistance was available and unavoidable.
Failing Roman generals were invited to fall on their own swords. If they were hesitant to accept the invitation, assistance was available and unavoidable.
Why is this being reported at an Apple specific website?!
Of interest: The venom toward Sucker-Zucker being displayed here at MDN is just as evident on the article page at the New York Times website. He knows he’s well hated. There is no doubt Comcast know this as well, thus his exit.
Now the question: Comcast brings what improvements to the table? They can do better than the Sucker-Zucker management team exactly HOW?!
I strongly suspect NBC going further south and more sour in the short term.
Why is this being reported at an Apple specific website?!
Of interest: The venom toward Sucker-Zucker being displayed here at MDN is just as evident on the article page at the New York Times website. He knows he’s well hated. There is no doubt Comcast know this as well, thus his exit.
Now the question: Comcast brings what improvements to the table? They can do better than the Sucker-Zucker management team exactly HOW?!
I strongly suspect NBC going further south and more sour in the short term.
As someone who spent ten years working at NBC both before and during the Zucker era, I can tell you that he is one of those people who was brilliant at one job, and then promoted to one where his skill set wasn’t nearly as useful.
Zucker’s rise through the ranks — he started as an intern on the NBC coverage of the Olympics before he was given the Today Show to run — and from everything I heard, he was absolutely brilliant.
Unfortunately, producing a news show is a very different job than running a creative enterprise.
It’s like corporate executives who think they can be politicians. Maybe they can do it, but the two skill sets couldn’t be more different. One gives orders and is used to having people do what they want. The other job is all about building consensus and getting those with opposite vantage points to agree on a common agenda.
If Arnold Schwarzenegger was unable to use his movie-star-wattage charisma to convince legislators to do what he wanted, I’m curious to know how Meg Whitman will do it.
On the other hand, it’s not surprising that some pro athletes (Jack Kemp, Bill Bradley) make decent politicians, since great athletes all about getting a team to go in the same direction.
My two cents….
As someone who spent ten years working at NBC both before and during the Zucker era, I can tell you that he is one of those people who was brilliant at one job, and then promoted to one where his skill set wasn’t nearly as useful.
Zucker’s rise through the ranks — he started as an intern on the NBC coverage of the Olympics before he was given the Today Show to run — and from everything I heard, he was absolutely brilliant.
Unfortunately, producing a news show is a very different job than running a creative enterprise.
It’s like corporate executives who think they can be politicians. Maybe they can do it, but the two skill sets couldn’t be more different. One gives orders and is used to having people do what they want. The other job is all about building consensus and getting those with opposite vantage points to agree on a common agenda.
If Arnold Schwarzenegger was unable to use his movie-star-wattage charisma to convince legislators to do what he wanted, I’m curious to know how Meg Whitman will do it.
On the other hand, it’s not surprising that some pro athletes (Jack Kemp, Bill Bradley) make decent politicians, since great athletes all about getting a team to go in the same direction.
My two cents….
Zucker was a waste. His departure will only be a blip on the radar though. Comcast will continue pushing out the same drivel and making anti-consumer decisions.
They view themselves as advertising space makers… not artists. It could get even worse under their regime.
Craptastic.
Zucker was a waste. His departure will only be a blip on the radar though. Comcast will continue pushing out the same drivel and making anti-consumer decisions.
They view themselves as advertising space makers… not artists. It could get even worse under their regime.
Craptastic.
TV as we remember it is dead. Comcast, a cable company, it desperately trying to become a content producer before they are without a customer base. This whole thing matters little because Apple is sitting on top of the next generation of content delivery tools. Look for Apple to buy content delivery companies, especially if Comcast succeeds in beating back net neutrality.
TV as we remember it is dead. Comcast, a cable company, it desperately trying to become a content producer before they are without a customer base. This whole thing matters little because Apple is sitting on top of the next generation of content delivery tools. Look for Apple to buy content delivery companies, especially if Comcast succeeds in beating back net neutrality.
This guy pissed me off so much during the beginning of the HD channels race a couple of years ago because he thought it was a waste of money.
This guy pissed me off so much during the beginning of the HD channels race a couple of years ago because he thought it was a waste of money.