Telegdy adds latenight oversight at NBC

TelegdyNBC has extended the domain of unscripted programming chief Paul Telegdy to late-night. The executive VP of alternative programming was named president of alternative and late-night programming, the network announced Thursday. The promotion bumps aside longtime peacock exec Rick Ludwin, who will segue into a consultant role after 31 years with the network. "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 NBC Entertainment chairmn Robert Greenblatt. "We look forward to continuing our relationship with Rick as he moves from the executive ranks to his role as a valued consultant." Telegdy's promotion may have been just about the only unexpected move Greenblatt has made among the flurry of shifts and hires he's engineered since taking over the top job. He's had to install new chiefs at the network and studio in Jennifer Salke and Bela Bajaria, not to mention lower level appointments in both houses in the current and development sides of the business. With unscripted and late-night under his belt, Telegdy finds himself at the controls of two of the few success stories NBC has to boast about going into the 2011-12 season. Telegdy's stock has been high at the network after shepherding a Peacock summer lineup that saw improvement from a year ago thanks to freshman series "The Voice" and the robust return of "America's Got Talent." Now he adds a late-night block that, for all its past turbulence during the Jay Leno/Conan O'Brien fiasco, is the reigning ratings champ from 11:30 p.m. onward. Leno may not be as strong he used to be but he is still quite ahead of David Letterman, who has been struggling as of late. Leno anchors a strong lineup followed by Jimmy Fallon and Carson Daly. That success has helped make Ludwin a rare example of a network executive who has managed to hang on for decades in a business known for fast-spinning revolving doors. Since 1980, Ludwin has had a hand in the formation of numerous series and specials, and is credited for having lobbied the network to have patience with a once struggling sitcom called "Seinfeld." "I couldn't have asked for or imagined a more rewarding job than the one I've had at NBC," said 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." Telegdy has been at NBC since 2008, having overseen a string of unscripted hits even as the network has labored in fourth place, including "The Apprentice," "Celebrity Apprentice" and "The Biggest Loser." Before coming over to the Peacock, he served as executive VP, sales, content and production, at BBC Worldwide. Contact Andrew Wallenstein at andrew.wallenstein@variety.com

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