NBC Enterprises’ Agoglia Departs; Oversaw Finance

In what has become an annual occurrence, the major television networks have been making major personnel shifts now that they’ve set their prime-time schedules for next season.

The most significant shift in a series of recent moves came Tuesday, when NBC announced the departure of NBC Enterprises President John Agoglia, who oversaw financial matters for the entertainment division as well as its program production and distribution ventures--an area in which NBC has become increasingly active.

Agoglia, 59, attributed the decision to his desire to explore new opportunities, saying he “had no intention of being carried out on my shield.” He was successfully treated for cancer earlier this year and plans to take several months off before resuming work, in the interim consulting to the network.

Agoglia, an 18-year NBC veteran, exercised considerable clout at the network through his control of business dealings, and earned a reputation as a tough negotiator, having supervised the acquisition of movies for broadcast as well as the renewal of programs such as “Seinfeld” and “Cheers.”

Sources say differences with other NBC executives during the recent “Seinfeld” negotiations may have played a role in his exit--speculation that NBC and Agoglia denied. A replacement has not yet been named.

Meanwhile, Greer Shephard, who oversaw development of dramatic series at ABC, said Tuesday that she is leaving the network after a five-year run. Shephard indicated she will take time off as well before deciding on her next career move.

The Fox network underwent its own management shake-up after the prime-time TV season officially ended in May, with the departure of three key executives in program development.