NBCUniversal Appoints Content Chief, New Boss for Streaming Service
08 October 2019 - 6:13AM
Dow Jones News
By Joe Flint
Comcast Corp.'s NBCUniversal has consolidated its TV-production
business and named a new head of its soon-to-be launched streaming
service as part of a broad realignment of its entertainment
operations, the company said Monday.
Bonnie Hammer, the veteran cable-programming executive who most
recently was in charge of Peacock, the NBCUniversal streaming
service due to launch next year, has been named chairman of the
newly created NBCUniversal Content Studios.
In her new role, Ms. Hammer will oversee all TV production at
NBCUniversal, which includes content for NBCU-owned outlets
including NBC and USA Network and Peacock as well as content
produced for rivals including Netflix Inc.
"Bonnie's great taste, deep Hollywood relationships, and strong
track record of generating popular and award-winning programming
make her ideally suited to oversee this new division," said
NBCUniversal Chief Executive Steve Burke, to whom Ms. Hammer will
report.
Longtime Comcast executive Matt Strauss, who most recently was
executive vice president of the cable operator's Xfinity Services
unit overseeing video and internet operations, will become chairman
of Peacock. He also reports to Mr. Burke.
Peacock is set to debut next April with a slate of both classic
shows including "The Office" and original programming. Talent
signed up to make shows for the service include Alec Baldwin and
Demi Moore.
News of the NBCUniversal restructuring was first reported by
Variety.
Unlike Walt Disney Co.'s Disney+ and AT&T Inc.'s HBO Max,
Peacock is seeking to be more of a complement to cable services and
less of a direct competitor. The service will be free to Comcast
cable subscribers. NBCUniversal is also seeking to cut deals with
other pay-TV distributors that would allow them to offer Peacock to
their subscribers free as well, a person familiar with the matter
said.
Peacock will be available to cord-cutters as well for a fee.
Peacock will be ad supported but also have an advertising free
version at a higher price.
As part of the restructuring, George Cheeks, who had been
co-chairman of NBC Entertainment, will now become vice chairman of
the Content Studios unit report to Ms. Hammer.
Paul Telegdy now becomes sole chairman of NBC Entertainment with
oversight over the broadcast network's prime-time lineup and he
continues to report to Jeff Shell, chairman of NBCUniversal Film
and Entertainment.
Write to Joe Flint at joe.flint@wsj.com
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
October 07, 2019 14:58 ET (18:58 GMT)
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