or


[06/08/16 - 10:19 AM]
Paul Telegdy and Meredith Ahr Expand Alternative Roles at NBC Entertainment
Telegdy has been named President, Alternative and Reality Group, NBC Entertainment, while Ahr will become President of Universal Television Alternative Studio, a new initiative that will supply shows to NBC as well as other broadcast and cable networks.

[via press release from NBC]

PAUL TELEGDY AND MEREDITH AHR EXPAND ALTERNATIVE ROLES AT NBC ENTERTAINMENT

Telegdy Named President of Newly Formed Alternative and Reality Group, NBC Entertainment

Ahr Named President of Universal Television Alternative Studios

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. - June 8, 2016 - Paul Telegdy and Meredith Ahr have extended their contracts at NBC Entertainment with expanded roles in the ever-burgeoning alternative space.

Telegdy has been named President, Alternative and Reality Group, NBC Entertainment, while Ahr will become President of Universal Television Alternative Studio, a new initiative that will supply shows to NBC as well as other broadcast and cable networks.

Hits such as "The Voice," "American Ninja Warrior" and "Little Big Shots," as well as refreshed iconic franchises such as "America's Got Talent" and "The New Celebrity Apprentice," have all come under Telegdy's regime in partnership with Ahr making NBC the dominant network in alternative programming.

Telegdy will continue to report to Robert Greenblatt, Chairman, NBC Entertainment. Ahr continues to report to Telegdy.

"Paul is in a class by himself in the area of alternative programming, which is one of the biggest strengths of NBC and a key reason why we have returned to a leadership position among networks," said Greenblatt. "He has a vision of the future and his finger is on the pulse of what is exciting in this space, and it was a priority of mine to continue to tap him as a major resource for this company. Part of the strategy was setting up a studio, to be run by Meredith, that will provide us with the biggest reality hits of the future, whether on NBC or other programming services and to territories around the world. Paul comes to us with a global understanding of this business and I'm pleased that he will continue to make this company his home after such a winning track record that began so dramatically with 'The Voice.'"

Telegdy added: "Meredith is an exceptional creative executive and leader, with the rare combination of being fiercely competitive, smart and humble. There is not a successful alternative franchise on this network that hasn't been influenced and energized by her expertise and insight into what audiences crave. Her passion for innovation is what has kept our entire division on the cutting edge, and that is reflected by the genre-defining shows she has personally developed and managed for this network for the last 12 years. We are all extremely confident that Meredith, in her new role, will create opportunities for strategic partnerships that will produce content for all platforms and deliver formats that translate to any marketplace."

Reporting to Ahr at the studio will be Senior Vice Presidents Enrique Guillen, George Sealey and Fernando Hernandez, who leads the development team and helps oversee a bold roster of producers and talent deals.

Series that have flourished under both Telegdy and Ahr's purview include "The Voice," the #1 alternative series in the 18-49 demo for the last four seasons; "America's Got Talent," the #1 summer series that just began its 11thseason; "American Ninja Warrior," which is coming off its best season ever; and "Little Big Shots," which was the season's #1 new broadcast series in total viewers. Other successful alternative series of the recent past include "Hollywood Game Night" and "Running Wild with Bear Grylls."

In addition, Teledgy's oversight includes NBC's many annual specials, including the Golden Globe Awards, "The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade," "The Macy's Fourth of July Fireworks Spectacular" and the "Red Nose Day Special." Telegdy is also overseeing the anticipated upcoming relaunch of "The New Celebrity Apprentice," hosted by Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Telegdy has been in his current post since 2011 after he was promoted from Executive Vice President, Alternative Programming, NBC and Universal Television.

Before arriving at NBC and Universal Television Studios, Telegdy served as Executive Vice President, Sales, Content and Production, BBC Worldwide America from March 2008 until December 2008 while based in Los Angeles.

Earlier, Telegdy was Senior Vice President, BBC Productions Los Angeles, and BBC Worldwide America. During this time, he developed "Dancing with the Stars," which has become one of the industry's perennial top series hits.

Ahr has been integral in developing and maintaining the two-time Emmy Award winner "The Voice." In addition, she, along with Simon Cowell, developed the first season of "America's Got Talent," one of the world's most successful formats. Ahr has also been behind the creation of many other alternative series, including "The Celebrity Apprentice," "Last Comic Standing" and the Emmy-winning docuseries "Who Do You Think You Are?"

For the last seven years, Ahr has managed the entire team of alternative current and development executives for the network, working cohesively with a diverse programming slate that includes "American Ninja Warrior," "Hollywood Game Night," "Running Wild with Bear Grylls" and, most recently, Steve Harvey's "Little Big Shots."

Ahr's career at NBC began in 2001 when she joined the network as a page in New York, with roles ranging from seating audiences at "Saturday Night Live" to working in the office of Bob Wright, then Vice Chairman and Executive Officer, GE, and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, NBC Universal. Ahr moved to Los Angeles in 2004 after two additional years of gaining experience in marketing and brand partnerships at the NBC Agency, and assisting in the news division during the 24-hour coverage of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

New Universal Television alternative series to debut over the next several months include "The Wall," from executive producer LeBron James and host Chris Hardwick, and "Better Late Than Never," featuring William Shatner, Henry Winkler, Terry Bradshaw, George Foreman and Jeff Dye.

Universal Television Alternative Studios now exists as the parallel to the scripted studio -- Universal Television -- headed by newly named President Pearlena Igbokwe. She reports to Jennifer Salke, President, NBC Entertainment.





  [june 2016]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
   


· SHOWATCH
(series past and present)
· DEVWATCH
(series in development)
· MOVIEWATCH
(tv movies and mini-series)





[11/26/25 - 02:31 PM]
"20/20" Is the Most-Watched in Adults 25-54 and Adults 18-49 in Time Period vs. CBS and NBC
"20/20" posted substantial increases week to week across the board.

[11/26/25 - 02:30 PM]
With Largest Viewership in 7 Weeks, ABC News' "Nightline" Ranks No. 1 in All Key Demos
"Nightline" improved on the previous week in Total Viewers, Adults 25-54, and Adults 18-49.

[11/26/25 - 02:21 PM]
"Everybody Loves Raymond: 30th Anniversary" Is the Season's Most-Watched Primetime Entertainment Special
The telecast delivered 6.32 million viewers and was the most-watched entertainment program Monday night.

[11/26/25 - 02:15 PM]
"Dancing with the Stars" Caps Spectacular Season 34 with 9.24 Million Total Viewers - Drawing Largest Finale Audience in 9 Years
Among Adults 18-49, the show nearly doubled last season's finale episode (+89% - 2.15 rating vs. 1.14 rating), hitting its strongest finale result in 10 years.

[11/26/25 - 11:07 AM]
Flex Game! Anthony Edwards and Minnesota Timberwolves Host Devin Booker and Phoenix Suns on "Peacock NBA Monday," Dec. 8, on Peacock and NBCSN at 7:30 P.M. ET
The previously scheduled Sacramento-Indiana and San Antonio-New Orleans games will be available in their local markets.

[11/26/25 - 10:38 AM]
An Encore Presentation of "Everybody Loves Raymond: 30th Anniversary Reunion" Special to Air Friday, November 28th on CBS
The telecast will replace the previously announced repeats of "Fire Country."

[11/25/25 - 03:45 PM]
"Center Stage: Countdown to the CMA Awards - Special Edition of 20/20" Rises Over Last Year's Performance in All Key Measures
"Center Stage" (434,000 and 326,000, respectively) ranked No. 1 in its hour in Adults 25-54 and Adults 18-49.

[11/25/25 - 03:06 PM]
"One Piece" Season 3 Welcomes Awdo Awdo and Daisy Head as the Trusted Weapons of Mr. 0, Ready to Bring Overwhelming Danger to Our Journey
Two of Baroque Works' deadliest agents now stand before us, Nakama.

[11/25/25 - 03:05 PM]
ESPN Wins Week 13 with Stellar Showings for "College GameDay Built by The Home Depot," "SEC on ABC" and Friday College Football on ESPN
Texas Longhorns defeating the Arkansas Razorbacks 52-37 delivered 5.6 million viewers on November 22.

[11/25/25 - 02:57 PM]
"America's Game of the Week" on FOX Scores 27,816,000 Viewers in Week 12
The Dallas Cowboys win over the Philadelphia Eagles peaked with 28.4 million viewers from 7:30 PM - 7:45 PM ET.

[11/25/25 - 02:03 PM]
CBS Sports' Coverage of the 2025 NWSL Championship Is the First NWSL Match Ever to Surpass 1 Million Viewers!
The Gotham FC victory over Washington Spirit set a NWSL viewership record.

[11/25/25 - 02:00 PM]
Record Audience Watches Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix on ESPN
ESPN's live telecast on Saturday night, November 22, averaged 1.5 million viewers, the largest audience to watch the event in its three-year history,

[11/25/25 - 12:29 PM]
The Second and Final Season of the HBO Original Drama Series "Like Water for Chocolate" Debuts February 15
The series returns Sunday, February 15 (8:00-9:00 p.m. ET) on HBO Latino in the U.S. and will be available to stream on HBO Max.

[11/25/25 - 12:01 PM]
Netflix Top 10: Week of November 17 - 3 Cheers for "Champagne Problems" at No. 1 in This Week's Top 10
Claire Danes and Matthew Rhys continued to keep audiences guessing in their psychological thriller "The Beast in Me," which took the No. 1 spot on the English TV list for a second week with 14.1 million views.

[11/25/25 - 11:30 AM]
TNT Sports Unveils World Class Commentators for First-Ever World Sevens Football 7v7 Soccer Tournament in North America - Coverage Kicks Off Friday, Dec. 5
The fast-paced W7F series has redefined women's soccer with elite talent from eight of the best clubs in the world, an immersive fan-first experience, and a groundbreaking $5 million prize pool, the largest in the sport, designed to fuel intense, high-stakes competition.