The New York Post reports that General Electric has finalized details of Jeff Zucker’s exit deal from NBC Universal.
Citing sources familiar with the situation, the Post says Zucker will leave “a couple of months” after Comcast closes its agreement to acquire a 51% stake in the media giant from its current owners GE and Vivendi.
His exit package will be worth roughly $30-$40 million, the sources said.
The acquisition is expected to close early next year. However, sources close to the company denied yesterday that any exit package for Zucker existed.
Still, sources told the Post that Zucker has been telling friends about the deal.
Comcast and GE recently extended Zucker’s contract until 2013 saying he would continue as CEO of the newly merged entity, though Post sources say Comcast COO Steve Burke intends to play the lead role.
Comcast can’t make any management changes until the deal is complete.
Another source said NBC Universal Television Entertainment chairman, Jeff Gaspin; NBC Universal Cable Entertainment president, Bonnie Hammer; president of NBC Universal women and lifestyle entertainment networks, Lauren Zalaznick and Comcast president of programming, Jeff Shell, are all making a pitch for the top creative role.
