Nelson Takes "Full Reins" At HBO

AP

HBO

As I predicted last week, HBO has named Bill Nelson, its interim CEO, as Chris Albrecht's permanent replacement. Nelson was HBO's former COO. Sources tell me that the choice was down to Nelson and two other insiders. But as interim CEO, Nelson always had a leg up! Nelson's been around HBO since 1984, and he's worked in all parts of the company-- domestic and international marketing, acquisitions, finance, etc.

Albrecht had been at HBO since 1985, working his way up from the role of SVP of original programming, to president of HBO Independent Productions, and then HBO Original Programming before becoming CEO. So HBO certainly has a tendency to promote from within. Albrecht led HBO into its golden age of 'Sex and the City' and 'The Sopranos'.

What'll HBO do after the Sopranos? The cable channel has a slew of new programming in the works-- the next biggies are "John from Cincinnati" and "Flight of the Choncords." You can watch the first episode here.

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