NBCUniversal is undertaking a major reorganization of its TV business.
Donna Langley, who was elevated to chairman of NBCUniversal Entertainment and Studios in November, announced Thursday in a memo to staff that the company will combine its TV studios, NBC Entertainment, Bravo and Peacock under one roof as part of a newly formed Universal Television Entertainment Group. The new unit will also integrate marketing and content strategy in a move that is designed to enhance collaboration, streamline decision making, and amplify our ability to deliver world-class television experiences to audiences everywhere, Langley wrote in the memo. Universal Studio Group chair Pearlena Igbokwe will add the NBC broadcast network and Peacocks scripted output to her portfolio as chairman, television studios, NBC Entertainment and Peacock scripted. NBCU Entertainment chairman Frances Berwick, meanwhile, will oversee Bravo moving back to the network she once ran and unscripted programming at Peacock. Corie Henson, NBCUs executive vp unscripted content, competition and game shows, is departing.
Additionally, chief business officer Liz Jenkins is adding content strategy, TV acquisitions, strategy and business operations for both the entertainment and studio groups to her purview. Jenny Storms, currently chief marketing officer for entertainment and sports, will become CMO for NBCU Television Streaming.
Separately, NBCUniversal COO Adam Miller announced that Jen Friedman has been upped to chief communications officer for the company.
The moves come as NBCU parent Comcast is preparing to spin off most of its cable networks Bravo excepted into a new company headed by Mark Lazarus. SpinCo, as its currently known, will include news outlets CNBC and MSNBC along with USA Network, Syfy, E!, Oxygen True Crime and Golf Channel.
Langley, who ran NBCUs movie business for a number years, added TV and streaming to her purview in 2023 and was upped to chairman of NBCUniversalEntertainment and Studios in November.
The formation of this group is a testament to the incredible talent we have here at NBCUniversal, Langleys memo reads. With our shared vision and combined expertise, we are poised to lead our dynamic industry in creativity and innovation, and seize growth opportunities for our business while delighting audiences across all platforms.