NBC Broadcasting Chief Harbert Steps Down

Ted Harbert

NBC Broadcasting Chairman Ted Harbert, a 40-year veteran of the television industry, is stepping down.

According to The Wall Street Journal, Harbert oversaw a wide swath of territory including local advertising sales, the network’s owned television stations, affiliate relations and distribution of NBC-owned content. He was in the position since 2011 when Comcast Corp. completed its acquisition of NBCUniversal. Prior to that, he ran the E! cable network for Comcast.

It was not unusual for Harbert to weigh in on programming matters, most recently in late night where he was heavily involved with the transition from Jay Leno to Jimmy Fallon. Harbert’s experience in several different areas of the television business often made him a key asset inside the company, and NBCUniversal Chief Executive Steve Burke called him “an important adviser to me.” At the same though, Harbert occasionally brushed up against other executives at the network.

Burke is using Mr. Harbert’s resignation to restructure the executive suites at the network. Mark Lazarus, chairman of the NBC Sports Group, will take on Mr. Harbert’s title as well to become chairman of NBC Broadcasting and Sports. He will oversee affiliate relations, advertising and the owned-TV stations. Some of Mr. Harbert’s other duties are being parsed out to other executives.