NBCU confirms Jeff Shell as CEO, replacing Steve Burke who will retire

L-R: Jeff Shell and Steve Burke

Comcast-owned NBCUniversal has announced the retirement of CEO Steve Burke, with film and network TV boss Jeff Shell set to be his successor.

Reports of Burke’s plans to step down emerged last week and the Peacock has now confirmed his retirement will take place at the end of his contract following the 2020 Olympics.

Shell will assume the role of CEO on January 1, with Burke, who has been with Comcast since 1988, spending the last months of his tenure as chairman.

During his time at the helm of NBCU, Burke oversaw a massive growth of business with earnings rising from US$3.4bn in 2011 to US$8.6bn in 2018. He also led the US$3.8bn acquisition of DreamWorks Animation in 2015, and rapidly expanded its Universal Studios theme park portfolio.

Brian Roberts, chairman and CEO of Comcast, said: “I cannot thank Steve enough for the incredible impact he has had on this entire company. I will miss Steve’s trusted partnership, and I know I speak for both myself and my late father Ralph when I say that we will be forever grateful to him for shaping first Comcast and then NBCUniversal into the great companies they are today.

“When Comcast acquired NBCUniversal in 2011, I never imagined it would become the fastest growing media company. Steve’s leadership and the team that he built has had everything to do with this outstanding performance.”

Burke said: “It has been a privilege to work so closely with Brian for the last 22 years, and particularly to have had the opportunity to lead NBCUniversal for the last nine. This is a very special company and I am proud of the people I have worked with and the things we have accomplished together.

“While this has been a dream job, it has always been my plan to hand off the baton at the right moment and move on to the next chapter of my life where I can pursue a different set of interests. It is great to know I am leaving the company in terrific hands with Jeff, who is the right leader to usher in the next phase of growth and success for NBCUniversal.”

Shell concluded: “It is truly an honor to step into this role, and I am excited that Brian and the Comcast board are giving me the incredible opportunity to help steer the future of NBCUniversal. I’m sincerely grateful to Steve, who has been an amazing boss and mentor for the last 15 years and leaves behind an extraordinary legacy of visionary leadership and success. I look forward to building on this strong track record and partnering with the many talented leaders across the company.”

Pressure mounted on the NBCU CEO following the publication of Ronan Farrow’s explosive book Catch And Kill. Farrow alleged that Burke knew about sexual misconduct allegations against former Today host Matt Lauer two years prior to his dismissal, and that the CEO suppressed Farrow’s story on disgraced movie producer Harvey Weinstein.