Senior award-winning television executive and producer Jeff Wachtel has been named president of NBCUniversal International Studios.
Adam Olszewski/NBCUniversal
Jeff Wachtel is moving on up — and over. The NBCUniversal Cable executive and producer has been named president of NBCUniversal International Studios, meaning that he will relocate from Los Angeles to London next summer to take on the new role.
Wachtel is a longtime NBCUniversal vet, who has acted as chief content officer for NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment and head of Universal Cable Productions since 2013. Upon his arrival in London, Wachtel will manage all aspects of television development, production, formats, and strategic content partnerships for NBCU International, including overseeing U. K.’s Carnival Films (“Downton Abbey”), Working Title Television, Monkey Kingdom and David Heyman’s Heyday TV.
Wachtel, who replaces Michael Edelstein after a seven-year run in the post, will work under Kevin MacLellan, NBCUniversal’s chairman of global distribution and international.
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“The ability to produce for a local and a global audience is key to the future success of any major production company,” MacLellan said in a press release. “ Jeff is one of the few creative executives in the business who has proven time and again that he can deliver shows that work on both planes. Working with him closely over the years, my team and I have always found him to be incredibly collaborative and sensitive to what works best for our international audiences.”
“I’m going from one dream job to another,” Wachtel added. “Nothing can top my experience helping to grow USA and then UCP into hugely successful enterprises. And I have been lucky to benefit from Bonnie’s leadership and my wonderful relationship with the incredible NBCU teams. The only thing that could be more exciting is the adventure of moving to London and working with our great international folks to help take that business to the next level.”
From ‘This Is Us’ to ‘Mom’: The 6 TV Shows With More Viewers Than Last Year (Photos)
These days, it is rare for a TV show to grow its audience year over year, but miracles — and sophomore smash hits like “This Is Us” — do happen.
Thus far this season, six broadcast series are averaging more total viewers than they did at this same period in autumn last year. We’ve ranked them in order from smallest to largest gainers.
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Show: “Chicago Fire” Net: NBC This season’s viewer average: 10.399 million Last season’s viewer average: 10.059 million Change: +3%
Dick Wolf drama only joined the list of growers this week. Insert your own “on Fire” joke.
Also Read: 31 Highest and Lowest-Rated Shows of the Fall TV Season So Far (Photos) NBC
Show: “Dateline – Friday” Net: NBC This season’s viewer average: 5.916 million Last season’s viewer average: 5.664 million Change: +4%
As Chris Hansen would say, “Have a seat,” and that’s exactly what Dateline viewers are doing in front of the TV when this news magazine show is on.
Also Read: 10 Lowest-Rated TV Shows of Summer 2017 (Photos) NBC
Show: “Bob’s Burgers” Net: Fox This season’s viewer average: 3.366 million Last season’s viewer average: 3.157 million Change: +7%
Despite NFL’s declining ratings, this animated show has benefitted more this season from some football afternoon games leading into its airing.
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Show: “Chicago PD” Net: NBC This season’s viewer average: 8.912 million Last season’s viewer average: 8.041 million Change: +11%
There’s something about this Windy City drama that has fans hooked.
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Show: “This Is Us” Net: NBC This season’s viewer average: 15.344 million Last season’s viewer average: 13.538 million Change: +13%
This one’s easy to explain — cross-reference “Empire” Season 2 for another recent sophomore-bump example.
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Show: “Mom” Net: CBS This season’s viewer average: 9.285 million Last season’s viewer average: 8.134 million Change: +14%
Thanks, (new lead-in) “Young Sheldon”!
Also Read: The 22 Lowest-Rated Shows to Get Renewed Last Season (Photos) CBS
Meanwhile, ABC’s “America’s Funniest Home Videos” was actually up 11 percent in the key 18-49 demographic, but down 3 percent among overall viewers.
Every show in this gallery not named “Chicago Fire” and “Dateline” also grew in the aforementioned demo.
Also Read: 20 Lowest-Rated TV Shows of 2016-17 Season (Photos) ABC Previous Slide Next Slide
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ABC is the only Big 4 network without an overall audience grower — though “AFHV” does have some kind of claim
These days, it is rare for a TV show to grow its audience year over year, but miracles — and sophomore smash hits like “This Is Us” — do happen.
Thus far this season, six broadcast series are averaging more total viewers than they did at this same period in autumn last year. We’ve ranked them in order from smallest to largest gainers.
Also Read: Cancellation Watch: 9 TV Shows That Likely Won’t Last Beyond This Season (Photos)
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