George Cheeks Upped To President, Business Operations & Late Night

George Cheeks’ rise at NBC continues with a second big promotion since joining the network in 2012. He has been named President, Business Operations and Late Night Programming, continuing to report to Robert Greenblatt, Chairman, NBC Entertainment.

In his new role, Cheeks, who has renewed his contract, will continue oversight of business affairs for NBC Entertainment, music services for the NBCUniversal television portfolio, and production operations for Universal Television and Universal Cable Productions. In addition, he will continue to oversee all late-night programming for NBC’s franchises that include Saturday Night Live, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Late Night With Seth Meyers and Last Call With Carson Daly.

NBC

Cheeks, who joined NBC in 2012 as EVP of Business Operations, added late-night responsibilities to his purview in 2014 when he was named EVP Business Operations and Late Night. Cheeks, who spends about half his time in New York, worked with then-Alternative and Late Night Programming President Paul Telegdy overseeing late-night.

Gradually, Cheeks took over the management of NBC’s late-night programs in the past two years as Telegdy pulled away from the arena after shepherding NBC’s major talent transitions. Telegdy now is taking on new responsibilities in his new role as President, Alternative and Reality Group, focusing on the launch of a big unscripted studio operation for NBCUniversal.

“George is an enormous asset to this company and one of the most business savvy executives I know,” said Greenblatt. “He’s been vital to our continued growth at NBC in primetime and late night, which has brought us back to a leadership position among the broadcast networks. He has been a meaningful partner to me personally as well as to our incredible late-night talent, and his deep industry expertise and unique ability to close even the most complicated deals makes him our secret weapon.”

Prior to NBC, Cheeks spent 14 years at Viacom in New York, beginning in 1998 as Senior Counsel for MTV Networks in Business and Legal Affairs for the Nickelodeon Group, ultimately rising to EVP, Business Affairs and General Counsel, Viacom Music and Entertainment Groups, Content Distribution & Marketing and Head of Standards & Practices for Viacom Media Networks.