Former NBC Universal CEO Jeff Zucker is set to sign on as the new boss of CNN’s global news operations, The Post has learned.
Zucker, 47, has been the lead candidate for one of the most important roles inside Time Warner since boss Jeff Bewkes began looking for a new leader to reinvent the flagging flagship news network.
While some minor details still have to be worked out and may still scuttle the deal, sources warned, it appeared that an announcement concerning the hiring of Zucker could be forthcoming in a matter of days.
“It’s been Jeff all along,” one source said late yesterday. “It was not a good fit at NBCUniversal, and he made some enemies, but this is a chance for him to refresh. It’s really good for him.”
Zucker is currently executive producer of the daytime show, “Katie,” featuring Katie Couric, the telegenic former co-host of “Today,” which Zucker oversaw for nearly two decades.
Zucker’s “Katie” obligation runs only to the end of the year, sources said, though any new gig, such as the CNN job, could be complicated by his part ownership in the syndicated show, which is distributed by Disney.
Zucker would replace current CNN boss, Jim Walton, who is leaving at the end of the year.
Also considered for the role were former ABC News boss David Westin, and former NBC News chief Neal Shapiro. Current NBC News boss Steve Capus is said to have been a front-runner, as well.
Zucker began his career as one of the youngest news producers in the business. He ran “Today” back in 1992 and went on to have a wider role at NBC News before ultimately winning control of the entertainment division and later becoming CEO of NBCUniversal.
But after more than a decade of success, Zucker’s career at NBCUniversal ended harshly and his reputation as having a talent for picking hit shows, was sullied.
A return to TV as head of CNN would present Zucker with a chance to write a comeback story — and ding NBC at the same time.
The executive exited when Comcast acquired 49 percent of the company almost two years ago.
CNN is a huge profit center for Time Warner around the globe — and is poised to have its most profitable year ever — but its poor performance in prime time in the US market has made it a cause for frequent embarrassment.
Both Fox News and MSNBC have taken share over the years, though CNN has steadfastly stuck to its middle-of-the-road take on all things political.
The Post, like Fox, is owned by News Corp.
CNN’s ad-revenue growth over the last two years is roughly 12 percent — the smallest increase of any of its rivals, including younger sibling Headline News, which saw ad revenue grow 20 percent in the period.
CNN is part of Time Warner’s Turner Broadcasting division, which is run by Phil Kent. Several sources suggest Kent has been under huge pressure to find the right candidate. Kent had been concerned that Zucker might ultimately have his eye on the much bigger role overseeing all of Time Warner’s ad-supported cable channels.
A spokesman for Time Warner couldn’t immediately be reached after hours. Zucker did not respond for comment.
The Post first reported Zucker as a contender for the position in June 2012.
The ratings for Q3 2012:
•Primetime (Mon-Sun): 616,000 Total Viewers / 188,000 A25-54
•Total Day (Mon-Sun): 388,000 Total Viewers / 118,000 A25-54
In Total Day, the network is down 18 percent in Total Viewers and down 25 percent in the 25-to-54-year-old demographic.
In primetime, CNN is down 9 percent in total viewers and down 14 percent in the same demographic.
catkinson@nypost.com
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Jeff Zucker set to join CNN as head of global news operations
