BRAVO AND NBC CREATIVE EXECUTIVE DAN HARRISON NAMED TO HEAD SLEUTH, NEWEST CABLE NETWORK FROM NBC UNIVERSAL TELEVISION GROUP
As Senior Vice President, Emerging Networks, Harrison to Oversee Launch and Development of New Crime-Mystery Channel Set to Roll Out on January 1, 2006
BURBANK, Calif. -- December 19, 2005 -- Veteran television executive Dan Harrison has been named Senior Vice President, Emerging Networks, where he will oversee and develop Sleuth, the NBC Universal Television Group's new crime-mystery cable channel that will launch on January 1, 2006. The announcement was made by Jeff Gaspin, President, NBC Universal Cable Entertainment and Cross-Network Strategy, to whom he will report.
"Dan's vast experience, intelligence and work ethic make him the perfect choice for the exciting and challenging opportunity to launch a new network," said Gaspin. "Based on his successful management of Universal HD, his leadership will be critical in maximizing the potential of this promising challenge."
"I'm really excited about being given these new responsibilities," said Harrison, who has been part of three previous network launches -- UPN, Fuel and Universal HD. "Sleuth is going to be a very stylish addition to the NBCU cable network family, and we are eager to unveil it on January 1."
In addition to managing Sleuth, Harrison will also continue to be responsible for managing Universal HD, NBCU's high-definition digital network. Universal HD launched on December 1, 2004 with a mixture of series, movies, sports and event programming. It is currently available in approximately 40 million homes. Harrison will also continue working with Bravo on studio-based acquisitions and with Gaspin on digital content and new media.
Previously, Harrison served as Senior Vice President, Cross-Network Strategy & Emerging Networks, since December 2004. Among his vast assignments, he was responsible for the planning and execution of Bravo's long-range direction as well as scheduling. At that time, he also was charged with overseeing and assessing the future potential of NBC's cable properties.
Earlier, Harrison was Vice President, Strategic Program Planning for Bravo, from June 2003 until December 2004.
Harrison returned in 2003 to the NBC-owned Bravo after working at NBC from October 1996-October 2000. Earlier, he was Senior Vice President, Programming & Strategic Planning at Fox Sports Group -- a position held since June 2001. While there, he handled the development, production, scheduling and program research for all of the non-event, non-news programming on Fox Sports (primarily Fox Sports Net).
Harrison was Vice President of ZeniMax Media in Los Angeles, from October 2000-June 2001, a diversified new media entity with ties to SBS and, through its online games' division, CBS. He oversaw the relationship with CBS that resulted in the on-line game for "Survivor: The Australian Outback."
Harrison began his NBC career as a Director, Program Planning and Scheduling, in October 1996, and he became Vice President, Program Planning and Scheduling in March 2000. In both top positions, he was responsible for the creation and maintenance of the network's program schedule as well as for the supervision of NBC Entertainment and NBC West Coast electronic business efforts.
Previous to NBC, Harrison worked for United Paramount Network as Manager, Program Planning and Development, from October 1994-October 1996. He drafted all network schedules, prepared competitive programming reports, analyzed counter-programming opportunities and acquired and scheduled Saturday-afternoon movies.
Harrison also is a frequent writer whose TV credits include the A&E Biography episodes, "M*A*S*H TVography" and "Alan Alda: More Than Mr. Nice Guy." He authored the books "Inside Mayberry: A Guide to the 'Andy Griffith Show'" and was contributing editor of "The Motion Picture Guide."
As a graduate of Cornell University, Harrison received a bachelor of arts degree in economics where he was certified as summa cum laude. In 1994, he received his juris doctor degree from Harvard Law School. He resides in Los Angeles with his wife Libby.
|