NBCU rejigs unscripted with senior exec exits

NBCUniversal has made a series of cuts to its unscripted teams, with senior format and current production execs affected.

Stephanie Steele, who had been senior vice-president of unscripted current production, has left according to US trade Deadline, as has senior vice-president of unscripted formats, Jenny Ramirez.

Steele had been with the company for more than a decade and worked on shows including Matthew Perry: A Hollywood Tragedy, while Ramirez joined NBCU from Warner Bros Discovery in 2022.

Another long-standing NBCU exec, Bravo’s vice-president of development Christy Dees, is also exiting, having worked on shows including Below Deck.

The changes are part of NBCU’s ongoing shift as it prepares to split its cable channels from its studios, streaming and broadcast business.

That move coincided with the departure of senior unscripted exec Corie Henson earlier this year, and the promotion of Universal Studios Group’s Pearlena Igbokwe, who has been handed control of NBC Entertainment.

Sharon Vuong was named exec vice-president of unscripted at NBC last month. 

There have also been rejigs outside the US, with NBCU restructuring its international unscripted TV production businesses.

Made in Chelsea producer Monkey and the unscripted division of Australia’s Matchbox Pictures are now part of Universal Television Alterative Studio (UTAS), run by president Toby Gorman.

The move, revealed by Broadcast International in February, could see the Monkey and Matchbox unscripted names disappear, with a rebrand of the UTAS global arm that will house both teams in the works.

Both Monkey and Matchbox’s unscripted unit previously sat under Universal International Studios (UIS).