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After a six-month search, “American Idol” owner CKX is close to naming a new boss, The Post has learned.
The entertainment company, which also owns the “So You Think You Can Dance” TV brand, is parting ways with current CEO Michael Ferrel, who helped private-equity firm Apollo Management take the company private in July.
Sources said that Apollo-owned CKX is close to hiring former NBC veteran Marc Graboff after talking to scores of executives about their interest in the top job. An announcement could come before the end of the year.
A call and an e-mail to Graboff’s office weren’t returned by press time. Apollo, run by Leon Black, declined to comment.
Last month, Graboff exited as NBC’s head of West Coast operations, one of a string of executives to exit after Comcast bought a majority stake in NBC Universal.
Graboff had been with the company for 11 years and had previously worked at CBS. In addition, Microsoft reportedly considered him a candidate to become the new content chief for its XBox Live gaming and entertainment service.
During its months-long search, Apollo is said to have reached out to a host of other candidates, including Sirius XM President and Chief Content Officer Scott Greenstein; Jules Haimovitz, a consultant and former director of Blockbuster; and AMC cable channel boss Charles Collier, among others.
Apollo acquired CKX, which had been a public company, in July and has been trying to hone the company’s strategy. CKX also includes 19 Entertainment, and the rights to the name, image and likeness of Elvis Presley.
Earlier this month at a UBS media conference, Apollo partner Aaron Stone said CKX would likely expand its investment in digital businesses to boost growth over time.
Apollo paid $509 million, or $5.50 a share, in a cash deal for CKX. Goldman Sachs provided the debt financing for the deal.
The Gores Group, Hollywood investor Allen Shapiro and JPMorgan’s buyout arm, One Equity Partners, had also looked at a potential acquisition of CKX.
19 Entertainment is co-creator of Fox network’s No. 1 show, “American Idol,” and “So You Think You Can Dance.”
“American Idol,” which commands the highest ad rates in TV, will return to Fox with a two-night premiere on Jan. 18 and 19. (News Corp. owns Fox and The Post.)
Graboff was primarily responsible for looking after the business affairs side of NBC, including making deals with producers, writers and talent agents.
The ouster of Ferrel as CEO is surprising, as one source said he had a guaranteed role in the new company as part of Apollo’s original acquisition plan. Other sources said he had given Apollo notice of his plan to leave.
In a statement at the time of the deal, Apollo’s Stone said: “CKX owns a portfolio of irreplaceable assets that present a strong foundation on which to build an exciting future. We look forward to working with Mike Ferrel and the rest of the CKX management team.”