NBCUniversal is set to make major changes to its executive leadership and television operations as the company reshuffles its executive ranks in connection with plans to spin off most of the cable network.
One of the big winners will be Donna Langley, chairman and chief content officer of NBCUniversal Studios Group, who will be joining NBC, according to a memo from Comcast President Mike Cavanagh to staff Wednesday morning. He will take on additional responsibilities as chairman of Universal Entertainment and Studios.
The company also changed the roles of other top leaders within the company. Matt Strauss, head of Comcast’s direct-to-consumer (DTC) business, was named chairman of NBCUniversal Media Group, overseeing areas such as sports, advertising sales and distribution, while continuing to operate the direct-to-consumer business. And veteran communications executive Adam Miller will become NBCUniversal’s COO.
Cesar Conde will lose his role as director of CNBC, but will work with Comcast President Mike Cavanagh “on other growth opportunities for NBCUniversal,” according to Cavanagh’s memo. Universal Experience Director Mark Woodbury, NBCU Chief Diversity Officer Craig Robinson, and General Counsel Kim Harris will continue in their current roles.
Last year, Langley, the only woman running a major Hollywood studio, was promoted to the role of chief content officer. The role gave him authority over television and streaming in addition to film.
News of Langley’s promotion to chairman of NBCU Entertainment and Studios solidifies and expands on last year’s promotion. As Mark Lazarus departs to run the spin-off cable business, she will “lead the green light decision across NBCU and have full oversight of all entertainment programming and marketing for Peacock, Bravo and NBC, including primetime and late night.” and will continue to oversee “the global creative strategy, business operations, production, acquisitions, marketing and distribution of a portfolio of award-winning film and television studios,” according to Cavanagh’s memo.
Mr. Langley rose to prominence at NBCU after overseeing one of the most impressive winning streaks in the history of Universal’s storied film studio.
She served as chairman of Universal Filmed Entertainment Group for nearly a decade. Last year, the movie studio released Illumination’s Super Mario Bros. movies and Christopher Nolan’s Best Picture winner, box office giant Oppenheimer, after the talent-savvy studio boss suddenly parted ways. Nolan was successful in persuading them to do so), and it even surpassed Disney in domestic market share. He is also working with Warner Bros. on another film for Universal. She also found a way to keep the Fast and Furious franchise alive and thriving. Langley is also the driving force behind Thanksgiving tentpole “Wicked,” the first of two films to bring the hit Broadway musical to the big screen.
The cable split, also announced today, will see MSNBC, CNBC, Syfy, E!, Oxygen, Golf Channel and USA Network spun out into a new publicly traded company run by CEO Lazarus. Comcast will retain ownership of NBC, Peacock and Bravo, which produce many popular reality shows that also feature on streaming platforms.
Comcast first announced the cable spinoff just a few weeks ago, but Wednesday’s announcement suggests that plans have moved forward faster than originally expected.
Georg Szalai contributed to this report.
