MUMBAI: NBCUniversal (NBCU) has announced a significant restructure of its television division, elevating Pearlena Igbokwe and Frances Berwick to lead a newly consolidated television group. This reorganisation integrates NBCU's television studios, NBC Entertainment, Bravo, and Peacock into a cohesive entity.
Pearlena Igbokwe, previously president of Universal Studio group, has been appointed chairman of television studios, NBC Entertainment, and Peacock scripted content. In her expanded role, she will oversee all aspects of NBC Entertainment, including scripted, unscripted, and live programming, alongside Peacock’s scripted originals. Igbokwe will also continue leading Universal Studio group, which encompasses Universal Television, UCP, Universal International Studios, and Universal Television Alternative Studio.
Frances Berwick, formerly chairman of NBCU Entertainment, has been named chairman of Bravo and Peacock. She will manage first-run syndication and unscripted programming for both networks, which includes documentaries and hit franchises like The Traitors and Love Island.
As part of the restructure, Corie Henson, executive VP of unscripted content for NBCU Entertainment, will leave the company. This decision comes amid a series of changes that follow Comcast’s announcement of its planned spin-off of seven cable channels into a separate publicly traded company, named SpinCo, which will include networks like MSNBC, USA Network, CNBC, Oxygen, E!, SYFY and Golf Channel, in addition to digital assets Fandango, Rotten Tomatoes, GolfNow and SportsEngine.
Additional leadership changes include Liz Jenkins, now overseeing content strategy and business operations across the entertainment and studio groups, and Jenny Storms, who has been promoted to chief marketing officer for NBCU Television & Streaming.
Donna Langley, chairman of NBCU Entertainment & Studios, and Matt Strauss, chairman of NBCU Media Group, expressed confidence in the restructuring, emphasizing the company’s commitment to creativity and innovation in the evolving media landscape.
Mark Lazarus will transition from his role as chairman of NBCU Media Group to become CEO of SpinCo, which is set to launch later this year
