How Robert Greenblatt Took NBC From Worst to First

Adweek’s TV Executive of the Year rebuilt his lineup piece by piece

When he arrived at NBC in early 2011, Robert Greenblatt knew he was inheriting a fourth-place network in dire straits. But the former Showtime president wasn’t fully prepared for what awaited him. “It was worse than I thought it was going to be—and I expected it to be bad,” recalls Greenblatt, noting that “all the great shows had come and gone” and “we had no digital or social presence whatsoever.” Still, he was undaunted by the task ahead of him: “I really wanted the job, because I love that kind of challenge.”

Challenge accepted—and mission accomplished.

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This story first appeared in the May 15, 2017, issue of Adweek magazine. Click here to subscribe.