Universal Global Television to be led by Beatrice Springborn, with 22 roles being cut amid broader overhaul
NBCUniversal is restructuring Universal Content Productions (UCP) and Universal International Studios (UIS) into a single entity under Beatrice Springborn.
Universal Global Television (UGT) will combine the creative slates and functions of the two divisions with the aim of streamlining US and international operations.
Broadcast International understands six roles are being cut at UCP in the US as part of the restructure, which will see UIS’s Kelsey Balance becoming exec vice president of global series and UCP’s Rebecca Franko being named exec vice president of current series.
UCP’s Mark Binke is now exec vice president of production, while UIS’s Rob Howard continues as exec vice president of UK operations.
Casting will be consolidated across UGT and Universal Television under Kimberly Hope, who currently oversees casting for the latter.
The leadership team reports into Springborn, who had previously overseen UIS and UCP as separate entities. It is understood there will be no job losses at the UIS team.
A further 16 posts are being cut across NBC, Peacock and USG following a broader review that has followed the launch of Versant, the cableco spun off last year as a standalone entity by NBCU to house cable channels such as USA Network and SyFy.
It means Universal Studio Group, led by Pearlena Igbokwe, will now house three divisions: the new UGT unit; Erin Underhill’s Universal Television; and, Universal Television Alternative Studio, led by Toby Gorman.
Springborn said: “Bringing the studios together to form Universal Global Television (UGT) with a combined collaborative team allows us to benefit from an international marketplace, while maintaining our longstanding commitment to producing series for audiences in the UK and US.
“We are doubling down on our investment in global storytellers by building on the strengths that have defined UCP and Universal International Studios and carrying that legacy forward into our next phase.”
US-focused UCP’s slate includes Apple TV’s Cape Fear, Peacock hit The ‘Burbs and The Rachel Incident, the latter produced for Channel 4. Meanwhile, international-focused UIS is behind All Her Fault, with the Carnival Films show becoming the most-watched original series launch for Peacock. The idea behind the creation of UGT is to simplify that structure by bringing what had been international and US-focused divisions into one.
Production companies in the UGT roster include Carnival Films, Heyday Television, and Working Title Television, while the division has studio deals with creators ranging from Patrick Macmanus, Seth MacFarlane and Nick Antosca to Rachel Shukert and Sue Naegle.
NBCU shuttered Australian drama heavyweight Matchbox Pictures earlier this year following a review by UIS. Tony Ayres Productions (TAP) - launched by Matchbox co-founder Ayres almost a decade ago - has also shut down as a result of the move.
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