CBS Entertainment Head Nina Tassler to Step Down -- 2nd Update
September 15 2015 - 7:02PM
Dow Jones News
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
Subscribe to WSJ: http://online.wsj.com?mod=djnwires
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
September 15, 2015 18:47 ET (22:47 GMT)
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