Unscripted exec Corie Henson to depart, as NBCU restructures ahead of cable channel spin-off
NBCUniversal is restructuring its TV business with the creation of a new division housing its TV studios, NBC network, cablenet Bravo and streamer Peacock.
The move coincides with the departure of senior unscripted exec Corie Henson.
The freshly minted Universal Television Entertainment Group will bring together content strategy and marketing into a single entity, operating under NBCU Entertainment and Studios chairman, Donna Langley.
Pearlena Igbokwe, who oversees Hacks and Day of the Jackal outfit Universal Studio Group, is adding oversight of all content at NBC Entertainment, plus Peacock’s scripted output.
She also retains her USG remit under her title of chair of TV studios, NBC Entertainment and Peacock scripted.
Other changes see NBCU Entertainment chief Frances Berwick leading unscripted at Peacock and Bravo, as chair of Bravo and Peacock unscripted.
Their expanded remits come as NBCU Entertainment vice-president of content, competition and gameshows Henson steps away from the company.
Elsewhere, chief business officer Liz Jenkins adds oversight of content strategy, TV acquisitions, strategy and business ops across entertainment and studios, while Jenny Storms becomes chief marketing officer for NBCU TV and streaming.
The latest overhaul follows NBCU parent Comcast’s plan to split its cable networks into a new division – known as SpinCo – led by Mark Lazarus.
That rejig saw former NBCU Studio Group chair and chief content officer Langley appointed to oversee NBCU Entertainment and Studios, giving her greater authority for greenlighting productions and more control over content spend.
The reins of NBC will now be held by Igbokwe and Berwick will lead on Bravo which, unlike most other cablenets, is not being moved under Lazarus’s SpinCo.
In a note to staff, Langley said the new structure “will bring together our Television Studios, NBC Entertainment, Bravo and Peacock programming as one cohesive organisation, bolstered by fully integrated marketing and content strategy teams.
“It is designed to enhance collaboration, streamline decision making, and amplify our ability to deliver world-class television experiences to audiences everywhere.”
Henson, meanwhile, is departing having overseen major titles as Deal or No Deal Island, Love Island – including its high-profile move to Peacock from CBS – and The Traitors US.
She is also behind the recent commission of Destination X, the buzzy Belgian format that has also been co-commissioned by the UK’s BBC as part of their creative pact, among numerous others.
Her remit covered Peacock and NBC, but also numerous cable channels that will form part of SpinCo, including Syfy, USA Network and Oxygen True Crime.
Henson is the latest exec to depart as NBCU rejigs its operations, with Kelly Campbell stepping down as president of NBCUniversal’s streamer Peacock earlier this year.
Other exits include Matt Bond retiring from his role as chair of content distribution at NBCU and MSNBC chief Rashida Jones stepping down.
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