Gossip Centers on Sagansky’s Future : Television: After guiding CBS from third to first place, the entertainment chief is rumored to be exploring his options.

Does Jeff Sagansky have one foot out the door at CBS? That’s the growing speculation in some quarters, since the entertainment chief who guided the network from third to first place in the prime-time ratings has yet to hold discussions on a contract that expires in May.

Sources say Sagansky has hinted about exploring other job options after four years at CBS. While there have been no formal succession discussions, it’s widely expected that Peter Tortorici, his second in command, will replace Sagansky if he decides to leave.

A CBS spokeswoman Thursday declined to comment on the rumor that has quietly circulated among senior network executives for about two months. Others, however, said Sagansky will be forced to make a decision before the development of new shows begins in February.

Many fellow executives ultimately expect him to stay. One insists that Sagansky has not given any indication of unhappiness to CBS Broadcast Group President Howard Stringer.

“If he’s made the decision to leave, he’s not told Howard,” said the knowledgeable source. “He’d go tell Howard in person.”

At the same time, others say Sagansky plays it unusually close to the vest for a Hollywood executive. “Jeff is very secretive,” said one associate. “He keeps his own counsel. If Jeff had his way, no one would know about him.”

While Sagansky is regarded as one of the sharpest executives in entertainment, there’s no word on where he might go if he left CBS. Sources say his options would include a top studio job, or a post in the ever-expanding technology field. People close to Sagansky, an avid collector of art deco items, say he might even take a yearlong sabbatical in Europe.

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One source sees similarities between Sagansky, 41, and former NBC programming whiz Brandon Tartikoff, who quit while he was still ahead two years ago.

“Like Tartikoff, you can’t keep topping yourself,” the source said. “He’s about as hot as you’re ever going to get.”

CBS was in the ratings cellar when Sagansky, a former Tristar Pictures president, came aboard in 1989. The network hadn’t had a new hit since “Murder, She Wrote” premiered in 1984. Sagansky leapfrogged CBS to the top in the 1991-92 season by canceling tired programs such as “Falcon Crest” and playing up hipper shows such as “Murphy Brown” and “Northern Exposure.”

As much a businessman as a programmer, Sagansky was also an early advocate of cost-saving programming such as reality shows.

As CBS’ fortunes soared, so did Sagansky’s. Last year, he earned a whopping $6.1 million, four times more than CBS Inc. Chairman Laurence A. Tisch. He’s expected to take in a similar amount this year.

Sagansky’s compensation--which included a onetime $2-million bonus--was tied to the network’s performance. CBS is expected to make a profit of more than $150 million this year, after previously incurring substantial losses.

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Some sources suggest that Sagansky may be wise to leave this year. In the increasingly competitive network TV arena, holding on to first place is ever more difficult. Although CBS is believed to have a hit in “Dave’s World,” other new shows haven’t generated much excitement in industry circles.

“Arguably, fall doesn’t look that great,” said one high-ranking executive. “It’s a closer race than in previous years, although I think (CBS) will still come out ahead.”

Sources close to CBS say there’s no question that Tortorici will replace Sagansky if he departs. The former New York appellate lawyer has been Sagansky’s de facto partner in rebuilding the network’s prime-time schedule, and is considered an extremely talented programmer.

The two are stylistic opposites, however. While Sagansky is most comfortable operating in the background, Tortorici openly embraces the spotlight.

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It’s Not a Job, It’s An Adventure: The salary’s not high by Hollywood standards, but the post advertised in the trade papers this week seems to promise plenty of excitement. The Internal Revenue Service is looking for an accountant to join its entertainment task force at a salary of $61,157 a year. The “service,” as accountants know it, needs someone with special expertise in Hollywood doings as it undertakes hundreds of audits of industry employees and companies. The only drawback is that the lucky hire may never eat lunch in this town again.