NBC To Have Dedicated Current Department Again Headed By Vernon Sanders

NBC is restoring its current department and tapping veteran NBC program executive Vernon Sanders to run it as EVP Current Programming, NBC and Universal Media Studios. In his new role, Sanders will be responsible for overseeing all currently broadcast scripted programming for the network and studio.

The most recent executive to hold the post at NBC was Erin Gough Wehrenberg who served as EVP current series until February 2008 when the network restructured its operations, folding oversight of current series into the comedy and drama departments.

But informally, there had been some division of duties within the NBC/UMS’s drama and comedy departments lately, with some executives focusing more on development and others more on current series. Also part of the decision to have dedicated current department was NBC’s increased volume of new series this year. The network will introduce at least 12 new scripted series next season.

“There is no one more invested in the success of our new and existing shows than Vernon, who has played a key role in the development of so many of them,” said Angela Bromstad, President, Primetime Entertainment,  for NBC/UMS.

Sanders, who will report to Bromstad, had served as SVP drama programming since his return to NBC Universal in June 2009.  He was responsible for such new series as Undercovers and Love Bites as well as Parenthood.  He also has overseen development for the drama pilot Prime Suspect.

In Sanders’ earlier stint at UMS as SVP comedy series, he oversaw NBC’s 30 Rock and The Office during the 2007-08 season.  Sanders also developed the pilot for the CBS’ series Worst Week. Previously, he was VP comedy programming, from 2004-07 at UMS and its predecessor NBC Uni TV Studio where he was the current executive on The Office.