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)





[08/25/26 - 01:00 PM]
Starz Announces Additional Casting for New Untitled Black Rodeo Drama
Shannon Wallace, Curtiss Cook, Lauren E. Banks, Liv Symone, and Jason Dirden round of the show's cast.

[08/25/26 - 12:58 PM]
"Who Wants to Be a Millionaire" Dominates During Show's Summer Run - Jumping Over Last Year's Average by +9%
The series also stands as Wednesday's No. 1 primetime program among Total Viewers in each of its five weeks.

[08/25/26 - 12:16 PM]
Netflix and Shonda Rhimes Extend Creative Partnership
The extended partnership will give Netflix and Shondaland the opportunity to continue to exclusively produce, stream and distribute TV series, feature films and gaming while continuing merchandise and live events opportunities connected to its IP.

[08/25/26 - 12:01 PM]
Netflix Top 10: Week of August 17 - "Outer Banks" Strikes Gold at No. 1 in This Week's Top 10
"My Brilliant Career" traversed the Australian bush to land at No. 2 on the English TV list with 4.7 million views.

[08/25/26 - 12:01 PM]
The CW to Honor the Life and Legacy of Dolly Parton with Special Encore Presentation Of "Dolly Parton: Here I Am"
Featuring exclusive interviews and remarkable archival footage, the documentary offers an intimate look at the woman behind the iconic songs, unmistakable style and enduring cultural impact that made Parton one of the most beloved entertainers of all time.

[08/25/26 - 12:00 PM]
"Survivor" to Reveal the Season 51 Castaways on YouTube Livestream
During the livestream, viewers will meet the new castaways and will also be treated to a first-look tour of the Survivor 51 Tribal Council by host and showrunner Jeff Probst.

[08/25/26 - 11:31 AM]
Netflix and Kevin Langue Partner to Bring "The Kevin Langue Show" to Netflix
Beginning September 5, members can watch a curated collection of episodes from each channel pulled from Kevin's back catalog, with new episodes dropping day-and-date alongside YouTube going forward.

[08/25/26 - 11:00 AM]
A24's "Backrooms" Begins Streaming Exclusively on HBO Max September 25
The film stars Chiwetel Ejiofor, Renate Reinsve, Mark Duplass, Finn Bennett, and Lukita Maxwell.

[08/25/26 - 10:23 AM]
Four New Documentaries Celebrating Some of Comedy's Most Influential Voices Are Coming to Netflix This October
Martin Mull, Norm Macdonald, Maria Bamford, and SCTV are among the featured subjects.

[08/25/26 - 10:00 AM]
USA Network Greenlights New Scripted Original Series "Diplomatic Immunity"
The series centers on a young American doctor who is suddenly assigned to the medical office at the U.S. Embassy in Rome.

[08/25/26 - 09:58 AM]
Sarah Levy Joins Tubi Original YA Film "Sidelined 3: End Game"
Levy will join Noah Beck, Siena Agudong, and Charlie Gillespie who are all returning to reprise their roles.

[08/25/26 - 09:35 AM]
CNN & Variety Kick Off Expanded Partnership with Live Coverage of the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards Red Carpet
Coverage will stream live on Monday, September 14, beginning at 5pm ET at CNN.com/Watch and on the CNN app for CNN's streaming subscribers.

[08/25/26 - 09:11 AM]
Dan Stevens Is Slated to Star as Alex Murphy/RoboCop in the New Prime Video Series
Blumhouse Atomic Monster is behind the project.

[08/25/26 - 09:04 AM]
ESPN Expands Sports Content on Disney+ with College Football Saturdays This Fall
Each week throughout the season, Disney+ subscribers in the U.S. can stream two ESPN/ABC college football games in addition to the Emmy Award-winning "College GameDay Built by the Home Depot" pregame show, which debuted on Disney+ last season.

[08/25/26 - 09:01 AM]
Video: Paramount+ Shares Trailer for "The Varnell Hill Show," Premiering September 1
"The Varnell Hill Show" reunites Martin Lawrence and Bentley Kyle Evans nearly three decades after Tommy Davidson's Varnell made his unforgettable debut on the iconic sitcom.