Bela Bajaria

Executive VP, Universal Television

By Stephanie Robbins -- Broadcasting & Cable, 2/27/2012 12:01:00 AM

Bela Bajaria’s hire marked the reestablishment of Universal Television (formerly Universal Media Studios) as a stand-alone entity, and the former CBS exec is tasked with making the studio a leading supplier for all the television networks, not just NBC. NBC Entertainment chairman Bob Greenblatt handpicked Bajaria based on their previous working relationship when she created and ran the cable division of CBS TV Studios and headed movies/miniseries at the network.

Under Bajaria’s entrepreneurial leadership, NBC has picked up six comedy and seven drama pilots from the studio—including a hospital drama from Friday Night Lights creator Jason Katims and an adaptation of U.K. comedy Friday Night Dinner from The Office boss Greg Daniels. Universal has also sold comedy projects from high-profile talents Mindy Kaling and Louis C.K./Spike Feresten to Fox and CBS, respectively.

Beyond pilot season, Bajaria looks to turn Universal into a thriving studio and create hits for the struggling NBC.