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Ted Harbert

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Ted Harbert
Born
Edward W. Harbert

(1955-06-15) June 15, 1955 (age 69)
New York, New York, U.S.
Alma materBoston University
OccupationTelevision executive
Years active1973–present

Edward W. "Ted" Harbert III (born June 15, 1955) is a veteran American broadcasting and television executive. He is currently the Chairman of NBC Broadcasting, and was previously the President and CEO of the Comcast Entertainment Group, and Chairman of ABC Entertainment.[1]

Early life and career

Born in 1955 in New York, Harbert is the son of Marna and Edward W. Harbert II, a pioneering television, advertising, and publishing executive.[2] One of six children, Harbert grew up immersed in television, and aspired to a career in the industry while still a child. In a 2005 article in Advertising Age, Harbert wrote, “I started poring over the ratings in Nielsen 'Pocket Pieces' when I was 9 years old. Two years later, I learned there were jobs at networks that picked shows and decided where they went on the schedule. From that moment, I wanted one of those jobs.”

Harbert began his broadcasting career while a student at Boston University’s college radio station, WTBU, where he worked alongside his friend, Howard Stern. After graduating Magna Cum Laude with a degree in Broadcasting and Film from the Boston University School of Communications, Harbert returned to New York, where he worked at ABC. He relocated to Los Angeles in 1981 and spent 20 years at ABC, rising from a feature film coordinator to president of ABC Entertainment.[3] At ABC, Harbert was closely associated with groundbreaking programs such as The Wonder Years,[4]NYPD Blue,[5]The Practice,[6] and My So Called Life,[7][8] among many others, and, during his tenure, ABC moved to the top in primetime programs in 1995 for the first time in 17 years, and led all the networks in profits for several years.[9]

In 1999, after a two-year post as a producer for Dreamworks TV, Harbert was named president of NBC Studios,[10] overseeing primetime, day time, and late night programs.[11]

In 2004, Harbert was appointed to the position of president, E! Networks.[12] In 2006, he was promoted to the newly created position of president and CEO at the Comcast Entertainment Group, overseeing E!, Style Network, G4, Comcast International Media Group, and Comcast Entertainment Productions.[13] When Harbert extended his contract with Comcast in 2010, it was noted that E!, in particular, had been a "big success" under his auspices, achieving six straight years of record ratings.[14]

Harbert was appointed to his current position in 2011, following Comcast's acquisition of NBC Universal. He is responsible for NBC Advertising Sales, the NBC Owned Television Stations, Affiliate Relations, Network Research, Domestic Television Distribution, NBCUniversal Digital Entertainment and Special Events. In 2013, it was announced that Harbert would oversee NBC Late Night.[15]

In pop culture

Harbert, who appeared as himself in an episode of Curb Your Enthusiasm,[16] is frequently referenced on the Howard Stern Show. Additionally, Harbert has been described as a "bold-faced name," due in part to a four-year relationship with comedian Chelsea Handler.[17]

Personal life

Harbert and Lisa Medrano, a former human resources executive, were married on June 11, 2011.[18] Harbert has two children, Emily and Will, from a previous marriage.

From 2006 until 2010 Harbert was in a relationship with Chelsea Handler.[19]

Harbert serves on the boards of Urban Arts Partnership,[20] the Friends of the Saban Free Clinic, City Year LA, Paley Center for Media, Hollywood Radio and Television Society, and the Executive Committee of Boston University’s School of Communications.[21]

References

  1. ^ "Ted Harbert, Chairman, NBC Broadcasting". Comcast. Retrieved 21 March 2013.
  2. ^ Variety Staff. "Producer Edward W. Harbert II Dies at 88". April 10, 2012. Variety. Retrieved 21 March 2013.
  3. ^ "Ted Harbert, Chairman, NBC Broadcasting". Broadcasting & Cable. Retrieved 21 March 2013.
  4. ^ Heisler, Steve. "How Does The Wonder Years Hold Up?". August 8, 2012. Vulture. Retrieved 21 March 2013.
  5. ^ Tucker, Ken. "NYPD Blue Review". October 1, 1993. Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 21 March 2013.
  6. ^ "The Practice". IMDB. Retrieved 21 March 2013.
  7. ^ Jensen, Jeff. "Life As We Knew It". September 10, 2004. Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 21 March 2013.
  8. ^ Lippman, John. "ABC's Golden Boys". August 5, 1990. Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 21 March 2013.
  9. ^ Carter, Bill. "The Other Shoe Drops: Executive Quits ABC". January 8, 1997. The New York Times. Retrieved 21 March 2013.
  10. ^ Littleton, Cynthia. "Harbert Takes Reins Of NBC Studios Unit". August 24, 1999. Variety. Retrieved 21 March 2013.
  11. ^ "Harbert Named To Head NBC Studios". August, 1999. Media Life. Retrieved 21 March 2013.
  12. ^ Hoffmeister, Sallie. "Comcast Expected to Name E! Chief". July 1, 2004. Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 21 March 2013.
  13. ^ "Comcast Names Ted Harbert President, CEO of Comcast Entertainment Group". October 13, 2006. Comcast Corporate Press Release. Retrieved 21 March 2013.
  14. ^ Adalian, Josef. "E! Chief Ted Harbert Locks In New Five Year Deal". January 12, 2010. The Wrap. Retrieved 21 March 2013.
  15. ^ Masters, Kim. "NBC's Ted Harbert Adds Late-Night Oversight (Exclusive)". May 1, 2013. Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 21 November 2013.
  16. ^ "Curb Your Enthusiasm". IMBD. Retrieved 21 March 2013.
  17. ^ Everett, Cristina. "Chelsea Handler Breaks Up With Her Boyfriend -- And Boss -- Ted Harbert". January 26, 2010. New York Daily News. Retrieved 21 March 2013.
  18. ^ THR Staff. "Hitched, Hatched, Hired". August 23, 2011. Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 21 March 2013.
  19. ^ Karpel, Ari (July 11, 2008). "Too hot to Handler". Entertainment Weekly (1008).
  20. ^ "About". urbanarts.org. Urban Arts Partnership. Retrieved 5 November 2014.
  21. ^ "Ted Harbert, Chairman, NBC Broadcasting". Comcast. Retrieved 21 March 2013.
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