‘Today’ Show Commentator to Head CNBC Channel

NBC President Robert C. Wright has gone inside the Washington beltway to recruit a senior member of his management team, naming Republican media strategist and TV producer Roger Ailes president of the CNBC cable TV channel.

Ailes, 53, currently a commentator on NBC’s “Today” show, will also be responsible for launching America’s Talking, NBC’s all-talk cable network.

CNBC was launched by NBC in 1989 and is available in about 49 million homes. After several years of losses, it earned about $10 million last year and expects to make twice that amount in 1993.

Ailes takes over from CNBC President Al Barber, who last year announced his intention to resign. Ailes becomes the fourth member of Wright’s senior team to be drawn from Washington insiders.

*

Polygram Video promoted Bill Sondheim to senior vice president for sales and marketing.

*

Prism Entertainment named Kelly Nielsen vice president of creative services, while Christopher Perry-Melish was named to the new position of manager of distribution services.

*

Sony Pictures Entertainment named Roger Toll senior vice president of legal affairs and associate general counsel of its Columbia Pictures unit. He replaces Mark Resnick.