Bonnie Hammer to Oversee NBCUniversal's Merged TV Studios
10.07.2019
Bonnie Hammer has been named chair of NBCUniversal Content Studios, which consolidates Universal Television and Universal Cable Productions. She reports directly to NBCUniversal CEO Steve Burke, in a reorganization of company leadership announced Monday.
Matt Strauss, most recently executive vice president of Xfinity services, moves over from Comcast to join NBCUniversal as chair of NBCU's new subscription streaming service, Peacock, launching in 2020. Strauss also will add the digital enterprises group to his purview and report to Burke.
"Bonnie's great taste, deep Hollywood relationships, and strong track record of generating popular and award-winning programming make her ideally suited to oversee this new division. With our studios being a main pipeline for Peacock's original content, she will continue to be integral to the future success of our streaming business," said Burke in a statement.
Prior to moving over to NBCU Content Studios and overseeing Peacock, Hammer oversaw NBCU's cable entertainment portfolio, including USA Network, Syfy, Bravo, E! Entertainment, Universal Kids and the cable studios. With regard to Strauss, Burke said: "I worked with Matt for many years at Comcast Cable, and know firsthand that he is one of the most talented leaders in our company. He has great experience with video, digital technology and streaming, and is the right person for the role at this juncture."
Meanwhile, Paul Telegdy becomes sole chairman of NBC Entertainment, while George Cheeks, formerly co-chairman of NBC Entertainment with Telegdy, moves over to serve as vice chairman of NBCUniversal Content Studios.
Telegdy will report to Jeff Shell, chairman of NBCUniversal Film and Entertainment, and continue to oversee syndication and Universal Television Alternative Studio. Prior to becoming co-chair of NBC Entertainment, Telegdy oversaw alternative programming for NBC, developing such shows as The Voice, America's Got Talent, American Ninja Warrior, World of Dance and more.
Cheeks will continue to oversee late-night programming for NBC, which is the department from which he came before being elevated to co-chair of NBC Entertainment with Telegdy. Pearlena Igbokwe and Dawn Olmstead will continue in their roles as head of Universal Television and Universal Content Productions respectively, jointly reporting to Hammer and Cheeks.
Mark Lazarus continues in New York as chairman of NBCUniversal broadcast, cable, sports and news, overseeing the cable entertainment networks, NBC News, MSNBC, CNBC, NBC Sports, the owned-and-operated local stations, and affiliate relations.
READ MORE: Variety, The Hollywood Reporter