NBCUniversal announced a reorganization of its television networks and streaming platforms, creating a more centralized structure that will help drive a unified strategy across its content businesses.
The group will consist of distinct and horizontally integrated business units that will share resources and staff, reporting directly to Mark Lazarus, Chairman of NBCUniversal Television, and Streaming.
The Direct-To-Consumer unit will be led by Matt Strauss, who will continue to oversee Peacock that will maintain its own separate team within the division while sharing the programming and acquisition function with the entertainment units in the portfolio.
The Entertainment Business unit will report to Frances Berwick, who will now be in charge of mapping out the programming strategy and content spend across the TV entertainment brands. Berwick’s team will implement creative windowing and scheduling strategies across the NBC broadcast network and the cable entertainment networks.
The Entertainment Programming unit will consist of distinct content groups: scripted programming, unscripted programming, late-night, and alternative. This unit will work in close partnership with the company’s internal studios (Universal Television, UCP, Universal Television Alternative Studios, and NBCUniversal International Studios) as well as outside production companies. The company is in the midst of a search for the leader of this unit.
As part of the reorganization, Paul Telegdy, Chairman of NBC Entertainment, is leaving the company.
NBC Sports will continue to be led by Pete Bevacqua.
Additionally, the division includes Telemundo Enterprises, led by Beau Ferrari; the NBCUniversal Owned Television Stations, led by Valari Staab; and Affiliate Relations, led by Phil Martzolf. Both Telemundo and the owned station group as well as affiliate relations will continue to report to Lazarus and operate as separate business units within the portfolio.
“We have an unparalleled portfolio that is now in an even stronger position to drive growth for the business,” said Lazarus.
Several additional executives have been promoted to Lazarus’s headquarters team whose functions will support the entire division. These include Finance, led by Christy Shibata; Human Resources, led by Brian Dorfler; Business Development, led by Dave Pietrycha; and Legal, led by Andra Shapiro.