Dec 16, 2019

NBCUniversal CEO Steve Burke to step down, Jeff Shell to replace him

Sara Fischer

Photo: Alexander Tamargo/Telemundo/NBCU

Longtime NBCUniversal CEO Steve Burke is retiring from his position, Comcast announced Monday morning.

  • He'll be replaced by Jeff Shell, a television veteran who has been with Comcast for well over a decade, on Jan. 1, 2020.

Why it matters: Shell, who currently serves as head of NBCUniversal's film and entertainment divisions, takes over as Comcast and NBCUniversal readies the launch of its ad-supported streaming service, Peacock.

What's next: Burke will become chairman once Shell takes his position as CEO in January.

  • He will leave the company in August after NBCU airs the 2020 Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo.
  • Shell will report to Comcast CEO Brian Roberts, who in a statement called Shell the "ideal executive" to take over for Burke.

The big picture: Burke has led NBCU through some of its most transformative moments, including its 2011 takeover by Comcast.

  • Sources say his exit has been in planning for many months.

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CEOs are leaving at a record pace

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Record number of original TV shows created in 2019

A whopping 532 original scripted television series were created last year, according to the latest data from FX Networks Research, up 7% from the year before.


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The stock of the decade: Netflix

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The big picture: Netflix was the catalyst for the now-ubiquitous streaming wars that have overloaded dozens of major platforms with live and on-demand video.

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