NBC Universal Chief Dismisses Rumors of Early Departure

WASHINGTON, October 2: Speaking with reporters on Friday,
NBC Universal’s chairman and CEO, Bob Wright, dismissed speculation that he is
set to leave the company soon, saying that the rumors were created by the News
Corporation-owned New York Post.

One report in the Post
earlier this month said that GE chairman Jeffrey Immelt had begun an informal
search for Wright’s successor. Another last week reported that Immelt had met
with ex-Viacom chief Tom Freston about Wright’s position, which many believe
will eventually go to Jeff Zucker, the CEO of the NBC Universal Television
Group.

"This is some creation of News Corp.," Wright is
quoted as saying. "They have created this story, and now they're quoting themselves
in the story. The references to the story are themselves. There [is] no truth
to any of that."

Wright also commented on NBC’s new season to date,
highlighting the success of the new science-fiction show Heroes. "I'd say we're off and running in a very good
fashion," Wright said. "I think we're up 18 percent from last year
this time. I would take that any time."

Kidnapped, however,
Wright said, “is clearly a bit of a disappointment. I think we probably just
had a show that was maybe too difficult a concept."