With the biggest night set for March 9 in New York City, the Broadcasters Foundation of America will honor VERSANT CEO and former NBCUniversal Chairman Mark Lazarus with the 2026 Golden Mic Award, recognizing his decades of broadcast leadership and service.
The annual black-tie Golden Mic Gala, held at the storied Plaza Hotel, is the Foundation’s largest fundraiser, supporting radio and television professionals facing financial hardship due to illness or tragedy. Lazarus joins a list of esteemed Golden Mic Award honorees, like Scripps Sports President Brian Lawlor, Hearst Executive Vice President and COO Jordan Wertlieb, and iHeartMedia Chairman and CEO Bob Pittman.
As CEO, Lazarus oversees all aspects of VERSANT, a spin-off company of Comcast and NBCUniversal’s cable offerings, including USA Network, CNBC, MS NOW, Oxygen, E!, SYFY, and Golf Channel, along with digital properties such as Fandango, Rotten Tomatoes, GolfNow, and Sports Engine.
Before VERSANT, Lazarus served as Chairman of NBCUniversal Media Group, overseeing NBCUniversal’s TV and streaming operations, distribution, and monetization. During his tenure, he renewed NBC’s Olympic rights through the 2032 Games and led coverage that drew record cross-platform engagement for the Paris 2024 Olympics. His earlier career includes roles as President of Turner Entertainment Group and President of Media and Marketing at Career & Sport Entertainment.
Broadcasters Foundation Chair Scott Herman said, “A trailblazer in broadcasting, Mark is a highly respected television executive known for his leadership and ability to carve out innovative paths to success, including forming strong bonds with partners. We are delighted to recognize his many contributions to broadcasting with the 2026 Golden Mic Award.”
VERSANT CEO Mark Lazarus said, “I am deeply honored to receive the Golden Mic Award from the Broadcasters Foundation of America, an organization that stands at the heart of our industry’s values – service, compassion, and community. Broadcasting has always been about connecting people, and the Foundation’s work reminds us of the profound responsibility and privilege we have to support one another, especially in times of need.”
The BFOA is the only charity dedicated exclusively to providing financial aid to broadcasters in need due to severe illness, accident, or natural disaster.
On average, the BFOA assists about 400 current and former broadcasters in need annually through two grant programs: monthly grants for ongoing support during recovery from illness or accident, and one-time emergency grants following natural disasters or home emergencies.
Support for the Broadcasters Foundation comes from the broadcasting community. Over the past 15 years, the Foundation’s grant-making efforts have grown significantly, increasing from providing $400,000 in grants in 2007 to nearly $2,000,000 in 2024.
