HispanicBusiness

Broadcaster CNN has picked TV veteran Jeff Zucker as its new boss as the cable news pioneer searches for a way to catch up to rivals MSNBC and Fox News in the U.S. ratings.

Zucker, 47, was formerly the chief executive of NBC Universal and was executive producer of the top-rated Today show.

"I am thrilled to join the distinguished team of journalists across the worldwide platforms of CNN," Zucker said. "I spent the most rewarding years of my career as a journalist, and it's where I look forward to spending many more."

Zucker's chief task will be to bolster CNN's performance in the US, where it has lost viewers both to the left-leaning MSNBC and the rightwing Fox News. At CNN, which is part of Time Warner's Turner Broadcasting unit, he will oversee all 23 businesses of the first 24-hour cable news channel, including the highly successful CNN International and CNN.com.

"Jeff's experience as a news executive is unmatched for its breadth and success," Turner Broadcasting System chairman and chief executive Phil Kent said. "He built and sustained the number 1 brand in morning news, and under his watch NBC's signature news programming set a standard for quality and professionalism."