By Joe Flint 

The chairman of entertainment at CBS and an architect of the network's prime-time success for almost two decades is stepping down at the end of the year.

Nina Tassler has been one of the most successful television programming executives in recent history. Shows launched on her watch include "The Big Bang Theory," "The Good Wife" and "How I Met Your Mother."

CBS said Glenn Geller, who has been with the network in various programming roles since 2001, would be promoted to president of the entertainment division. That position had been vacant since Ms. Tassler was named chairman last year.

Although changing quarterback just before the fall TV season starts might seem odd, the broadcast networks currently are gearing up to start the development process for next season. Putting Mr. Geller, 43 years old, in a position play a part in that process was behind CBS's timing.

The departure of Ms. Tassler, 58, didn't come as a surprise to industry insiders. Although her current contract has more than two years left on it, she has indicated for some time that the grind of the job was starting to overtake the fun and glamour.

CBS Corp. Chief Executive Leslie Moonves, in an interview said, "We've been talking about this for a couple of years," adding, "I'm going to miss her like crazy." The two have worked together for 25 years, first at Warner Bros. and then CBS. Ms. Tassler approached Mr. Moonves earlier this summer and indicated she was ready to move on.

Known for her candor and feistiness, Ms. Tassler started her career in theater before moving to Los Angeles and becoming an agent and then a production executive. In an interview Ms. Tassler said she didn't have any definite future plans beyond finishing a book that is due to publish in April. Others close to her think a return to the stage business is a possibility but she would say only, "I've always been particularly fond of packaging and putting things together."

Ms. Tassler first gained notice working under Mr. Moonves at Warner Bros. Television, where she was involved the development of several hits, including the medical drama "ER." She joined CBS in 1997, a few years after Mr. Moonves went there as head of entertainment and rose through the ranks.

The reporting structure of CBS's entertainment operations will remain unchanged. Mr. Geller will report to Mr. Moonves just as Ms. Tassler had. David Stapf, the head of CBS's production studio, will also continue to report to Mr. Moonves. Unlike Walt Disney Co.'s ABC and 21st Century Fox, CBS keeps its production and network arms independent of each other.

CBS is coming off a season in which it finished first in total viewers and was a second in the coveted demographic of adults of 18-to-49 years old. The network returned four of its six new shows for a second season. This season CBS will get a big boost from broadcasting Super Bowl 50.

The network's big bets for the new season include "SuperSHYgirl," which will debut in November, and "Code Black," a hospital drama in the vein of "ER." Advertisers project that the network will again be solid.

That doesn't mean it will be smooth sailing for Mr. Geller. All the broadcast networks are struggling to hold on to viewers in an era where there is a plethora of options, including cable and streaming services. In addition, companies such as CBS have done very well selling reruns of their shows to Netflix Inc. and Amazon.com Inc., but there is concern among some Wall Street analysts that this practice is ultimately going to hurt the traditional media business.

Write to Joe Flint at joe.flint@wsj.com

 

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(END) Dow Jones Newswires

September 15, 2015 18:47 ET (22:47 GMT)

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