Zucker Named CNN Top Executive

Former NBC Universal chief Jeff Zucker was named as CNN's top executive Thursday in an attempt by CNN to give itself a boost to catch up to rival networks Fox News and MSNBC.

Zucker first came into the public spotlight as the excutive producer of NBC's "Today" show when it first rocketed in popularity in the 1990s.

"I spent the most rewarding years of my career as a journalist, and it’s where I look forward to spending many more," Zucker said.

Phil Kent, who manages  all Turner networks for parent company Time Warner,  will oversee Zucker in his new position which he will begin in January.

“Jeff’s experience as a news executive is unmatched for its breadth and success,” Kent said. “He built and sustained the number-one brand in morning news, and under his watch NBC’s signature news programming set a standard for quality and professionalism.”

After working for the "Today" show, Zucker moved to Hollywood as NBC’s entertainment president, where he had much less success.

He then went on to become the head of NBC Universal, and while NBC continued to struggle, he did achieve financial success for the company through his overseeing of the NBC's cable networks.

Among them was MSNBC, which increased its popularity by catering to a partisan audience in the style of market leader Fox News Channel.

In comparison, CNN has always maintained a non-biased approach to news but its main issue has always remained the same as well: how to attract a loyal audience when there is not a major news story capturing the public’s attention.

Traditionally, a large amount of attention has been paid to CNN’s problems in prime time for its domestic network, but Zucker will be in charge of a much larger and more successful portfolio, including HLN, CNN International and the CNN.com website.

Zucker was considered the lead candidate for the position since his predecessor, Jim Walton, announced he was leaving the job. Zucker spent the past year assisting Katie Couric broadcast her talk show.

Tom Johnson, president of CNN during the 1990s, said Zucker was a “splendid choice.”

“I would hope it would be a return to CNN where news trumps all programming so CNN gets back to its basics of being a breaking news network,” Johnson said.

A CNN product is currently on televisions in about 265 million homes across the world.