July 6, 2023
Donna Langley, chairman of Universal Filmed Entertainment Group, has been promoted to chairman of NBCUniversal Studio Group and chief content officer, overseeing all content decisions across movies, TV production and streaming (i.e., Peacock).
Langley’s promotion comes as Mike Cavanagh, president of Comcast and interim CEO of NBCUniversal, streamlines senior management, the longtime executive’s first major executive changes since assuming the chief executive job at NBCUniversal following the abrupt April resignation of Jeff Shell due to an inappropriate workplace relationship.
In a July 6 staff memo, Cavanagh disclosed that NBCUniversal would be split into four business units, with Langley heading the Studio Group, and Mark Lazarus running the NBCUniversal Media Group, which includes streaming. Cesar Conde remains as head of the NBCU News Group, while the Universal Destinations and Experiences Group will be overseen by current theme parks chief executive Mark Woodbury.
Cavanagh did not name a new CEO for NBCUniversal, suggesting he will continue in the position. Matt Strauss, president of direct-to-consumer and international, will continue to run daily operations at Peacock, reporting to Lazarus and Langley.
In the memo, Cavanagh said Langley would be in charge of Universal Filmed Entertainment Group (Universal Pictures, Focus Features, DreamWorks Animation) and Universal Studio Group (Universal Television, Universal Content Productions, Universal Television Alternative Studios, Universal International Studios).
“Donna has been shaping the cultural conversation and creating the framework for what a modern-day studio can accomplish through bold content, impactful marketing and business model innovation,” Cavanagh wrote. “She will leverage her longstanding relationships with the creative community and ability to partner with the most prolific storytellers in our business to unlock a seamless cross-portfolio creative strategy.”
Cavanagh said NBCUniversal currently has 108 active TV series currently airing or streaming globally, and is “consistently responsible” for 50% of the top 10 broadcast series and several No. 1 streaming series across multiple platforms.
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Frances Berwick has been upped to chairman of NBCUniversal Entertainment, reporting to Lazarus and Langley. In addition, four new corporate leaders include Kimberley Harris, Anand Kini, Adam Miller and Craig Robinson. Susan Rover, president of TV content and streaming, is leaving the company after the transition has been completed.
“We appreciate all of Susan’s valuable contributions and thank her for all she’s done during her time at NBCU,” Cavanagh wrote in the memo.