SYFY CHIEF CHRIS MCCUMBER DEPARTS, FRANCES BERWICK JOINS LEADERSHIP

NBCUniversal's newly merged streaming and network division has resulted in more senior management changes, with USA Network and Syfy chief Chris McCumber departing. “After nearly 20 years at this tremendous company, this has not been an easy decision,” McCumber wrote to staff. “Yet I believe wholeheartedly that NBCUniversal is taking the right steps by creating a new organization built for the future.”

The move follows the recent major realignment of NBCU’s streaming and leaner TV group, which introduced a new centralized structure under Mark Lazarus, Chairman of NBCUniversal Television and Streaming, which includes Lifestyle Networks president Frances Berwick taking oversight over the newly established Entertainment Business unit.  Also departing after a period of transition is Lesley Cerwin, who served as senior vice president of strategic business initiatives since last year. Cerwin had been at NBC since 2005, starting in publicity before moving into the alternative programming department. The moves also come after NBC Entertainment chairman Paul Telegdy was fired in August.

The executive, who announced his departure in a memo to staff on Wednesday, was with NBCU since 2001 and had led both USA and Syfy over the past four years, with credits on hits including "Suits" and "Monk," among numerous others. He previously held marketing and programming roles at NBCU, contributed to USA Network’s success during the aughts “blue sky” era and later developed and launched that channel’s most prestigious hit, “Mr. Robot.” Most recently he oversaw USA and sibling channel Syfy as president of entertainment networks for NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment. 

Former Universal Television president Pearlena Igbokwe was promoted to chairman of the central Universal Studio Group, which includes NBCU International Studios, while the company is set to appoint Warner Bros. TV’s Susan Rovner as entertainment programming chief in the new-look structure. McCumber’s exit comes at a turbulent time for NBCU, which revealed the structure for its combined TV and streaming operation last month, with NBC Entertainment chairman Paul Telegdy exiting.