NBCUniversal has announced a structural change in its leadership department, with former Warner Bros. Television President Susan Rovner set to lead TV and streaming programming as chief of entertainment. Though her exact position hasn’t yet been confirmed, Rovner is expected to start within the next few weeks.
Rovner will be responsible for the oversight of all programming aspects at NBCU, including scripted and unscripted content, late-night shows, and the recently launched streaming service, Peacock. She’ll also be in charge of NBC’s slate of cable channels, including Bravo, E!, USA and Syfy. She’ll report to Mark Lazarus, chairman of NBCU’s TV and streaming businesses.
NBCU veteran Frances Berwick will now lead commissioning and acquisitions for content across all networks and day-parts, as well as work on the formation of windowing strategies between NBC and its cable-net-related companies. He previously rescinded several networks, including Bravo and E!.
Last month, NBCU laid off employees across its entire portfolio ahead of a major reorganization to its television and streaming division. The layoffs impact on NBCU’s sports and cable networks, broadcast, movie studio, and theme parks businesses ultimately affected less than 10% of the overall staff.
NBCU’s revenue declined 25% to USD 6.1 billion in the second quarter as theme park and movie theater closings have hampered the company’s bottom line. During Comcast’s second-quarter earnings call, CEO Jeff Shell hinted that more structural adjustments are underway. “A few months ago, we combined our television and streaming businesses under Mark Lazarus, which will allow us to more rapidly shift our resources and investment from linear to streaming," Shell said.