HBO's Chris Albrecht Goes Down For the Count

Chris Albrecht is out as chairman/CEO of HBO. It appears that today's story from the Los Angeles Times about Albrecht allegedly shoving and choking female employee/fomer lover Sasha Emerson back in 1991 expedited his ouster. The LA Times has statements from both sides:

"With great regret, at the request of Time Warner, I have agreed to step down," Albrecht said in a statement released by Time Warner Wednesday evening. "I take this step for the benefit of my Home Box Office colleagues, recognizing that I cannot allow my personal circumstances to distract them from the business," he said.

Time Warner Chairman and Chief Executive Richard D. Parsons said in the statement: "Jeff Bewkes and I believe that this is the right decision for the Company. We thank Chris for all of his contributions to Home Box Office over the years." HBO Chief Operating Officer Bill Nelson will assume Albrecht's duties on an interim basis until the appointment of a new chief executive, the company said.

This is a tremendous blow for HBO. Albrecht, a 22-year veteran of the company, was known as a visionary and creative force. His depature comes at a critical time for the pay-cable company, when their hugely popular The Sopranos is coming to an end and other shows like Big Love and Entourage, while appealing to a certain following, are still trying find traction with a broader audience. One also has to wonder if Albrecht's history of bad behavior will cause any blowback for TW chairman-in-waiting Jeff Bewkes, Albrecht's long-time boss.