They’re changing channels.
A blockbuster swap of top producers at ABC and NBC will bring new leaders to “The View” and the “Today” show.
ABC is poised to name Bill Wolff as the executive producer of “The View,” succeeding the morning coffee-klatch show’s longtime chief, Bill Geddie.
Wolff is now executive producer of “The Rachel Maddow Show” and is vice president of prime-time programming for MSNBC.
In return for NBC letting Wolff break his current long-term deal with the Peacock Network, ABC has agreed to free ESPN’s top programmer, Jamie Horowitz, who now can join NBC as general manager of “Today.”
Horowitz’s deal had locked him into the Disney-owned company but now that he’s set free of that contract he can start Sept. 1, three months earlier than planned.
For “The View,” the addition of Wolff is the latest step in rebuilding the Barbara Walters-produced daily talk show, which will be hosted by Whoopi Goldberg, Rosie O’Donnell and new hosts yet to be named.
At NBC, Horowitz will be tasked with steering the direction of the morning show against its ABC arch-rival, “Good Morning America.” Day-to-day operations will still be handled by executive producer Don Nash.
Horowitz has his work cut out for him. After a record 16-year streak, the once-dominant “Today” has trailed “GMA” in the ratings since 2012.
As ESPN’s vice president of original programming and production, Horowitz developed a number of shows, including “First Take” and “Olbermann.” Horowitz’s move had been one of the worst-kept secrets in the television industry for months. In May, NBC finally acknowledged he would join it after his contract with ESPN expired.
