Ted Harbert
Encyclopedia
Edward W. "Ted" Harbert III (born June 15, 1955) is currently Chairman, NBC Broadcasting. Before joining NBCUniversal, he was the president and CEO of the Comcast Entertainment Group.
in 1977. Harbert began his broadcast career working at the Boston University
radio station with Howard Stern
. Years later, Stern frequently chided Harbert on-air about how Harbert's career was helped through family connections, specifically his father. For several years in the 1990s, Harbert was in charge of programming for ABC
. He also worked in the same office building as Jay Leno
during the mid-90's.
He held a similar position for E!
Entertainment Television and Style Network
until mid-October 2006, when he got promoted to the newly created position of CEO at the Comcast Entertainment Group, which added Comcast’s G4 TV to his portfolio.
In his position at ABC, he was a lightning rod for such decisions as the cancellation of My So-Called Life
among other critically acclaimed series. In the case of My So-Called Life, he insists, in a September, 2004 Entertainment Weekly
article, that he very much wanted to renew it despite its low ratings, but he says that behind the scenes maneuvering by series star Claire Danes
made such a decision impossible.
Harbert appeared as himself in an episode of Curb Your Enthusiasm
.
He lived with Chelsea Handler
, a comedian and host of her own late-night talk show, Chelsea Lately
, on the E!
Cable Television Network. E! Network reps confirm they split in early 2010 after several years together.
Life and career
Harbert was born in New York City, New York, the son of Ted Jr. (a television executive) and Marna Harbert. He graduated from Boston UniversityBoston University
Boston University is a private research university located in Boston, Massachusetts. With more than 4,000 faculty members and more than 31,000 students, Boston University is one of the largest private universities in the United States and one of Boston's largest employers...
in 1977. Harbert began his broadcast career working at the Boston University
Boston University
Boston University is a private research university located in Boston, Massachusetts. With more than 4,000 faculty members and more than 31,000 students, Boston University is one of the largest private universities in the United States and one of Boston's largest employers...
radio station with Howard Stern
Howard Stern
Howard Allan Stern is an American radio personality, television host, author, and actor best known for his radio show, which was nationally syndicated from 1986 to 2005. He gained wide recognition in the 1990s where he was labeled a "shock jock" for his outspoken and sometimes controversial style...
. Years later, Stern frequently chided Harbert on-air about how Harbert's career was helped through family connections, specifically his father. For several years in the 1990s, Harbert was in charge of programming for ABC
American Broadcasting Company
The American Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network. Created in 1943 from the former NBC Blue radio network, ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Company and is part of Disney-ABC Television Group. Its first broadcast on television was in 1948...
. He also worked in the same office building as Jay Leno
Jay Leno
James Douglas Muir "Jay" Leno is an American stand-up comedian and television host.From 1992 to 2009, Leno was the host of NBC's The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. Beginning in September 2009, Leno started a primetime talk show, titled The Jay Leno Show, which aired weeknights at 10:00 p.m. ,...
during the mid-90's.
He held a similar position for E!
E!
E! Entertainment Television is an American basic cable and satellite television network, owned by NBCUniversal. It features entertainment-related programming, reality television, feature films and occasionally series and specials unrelated to the entertainment industry.E! has an audience reach of...
Entertainment Television and Style Network
Style Network
The Style Network is an American cable television network based in Los Angeles.Owned by NBCUniversal, a subsidiary of General Electric and Comcast, its sister channels include E! Entertainment Television, USA Network, Syfy, G4, Golf Channel, and Versus, among others.-Network Overview:Style's...
until mid-October 2006, when he got promoted to the newly created position of CEO at the Comcast Entertainment Group, which added Comcast’s G4 TV to his portfolio.
In his position at ABC, he was a lightning rod for such decisions as the cancellation of My So-Called Life
My So-Called Life
My So-Called Life is an American teen drama television series created by Winnie Holzman and produced by Edward Zwick and Marshall Herskovitz. It originally aired on ABC from August 25, 1994, to January 26, 1995 and was distributed by The Bedford Falls Company with ABC Productions. Set at the...
among other critically acclaimed series. In the case of My So-Called Life, he insists, in a September, 2004 Entertainment Weekly
Entertainment Weekly
Entertainment Weekly is an American magazine, published by the Time division of Time Warner, that covers film, television, music, broadway theatre, books and popular culture...
article, that he very much wanted to renew it despite its low ratings, but he says that behind the scenes maneuvering by series star Claire Danes
Claire Danes
Claire Catherine Danes is an American actress of television, stage and film. She has appeared in roles as diverse as Angela Chase in My So-Called Life, as Juliet in Baz Luhrmann's Romeo + Juliet, as Kate Brewster in Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines, as Yvaine in Stardust and as Temple Grandin in...
made such a decision impossible.
Harbert appeared as himself in an episode of Curb Your Enthusiasm
Curb Your Enthusiasm
Curb Your Enthusiasm is an American comedy television series produced and broadcast by HBO, which premiered on October 15, 2000. As of 2011, it has completed 80 episodes over eight seasons. The series was created by Seinfeld co-creator Larry David, who stars as a fictionalized version of himself...
.
Personal life
Harbert was once married to Julie Harbert (now Harman), a television producer, writer and director. He has a son, Will and a daughter, Emily from his marriage to Susan Harbert.He lived with Chelsea Handler
Chelsea Handler
Chelsea Joy Handler is an American stand-up comedian, humorist, television host, actress, model and best-selling author. She currently hosts a late-night talk show titled, Chelsea Lately on the E! Cable Television Network. In 2009 she won a Bravo A-List Award...
, a comedian and host of her own late-night talk show, Chelsea Lately
Chelsea Lately
Chelsea Lately is an American late night comedy talk show hosted by comedian Chelsea Handler on E!. The show debuted on July 16, 2007, and is produced by Handler's production company, Borderline Amazing Productions...
, on the E!
E!
E! Entertainment Television is an American basic cable and satellite television network, owned by NBCUniversal. It features entertainment-related programming, reality television, feature films and occasionally series and specials unrelated to the entertainment industry.E! has an audience reach of...
Cable Television Network. E! Network reps confirm they split in early 2010 after several years together.