Universal TV drama EVP exits

Changes at Universal Television continue, with executive VP of drama development Russell Rothberg the latest to leave the US-based NBCUniversal prodco.

Rothberg’s departure comes after that of Bela Bajaria, who exited as president earlier this year. Pearlena Ibgokwe, who was EVP of drama programming, stepped up to replace her.

Rothberg is credited with developing A&E’s Bates Motel, NBC’s Shades of Blue and new season series such as CBS’s Pure Genius and NBC’s Emerald City and Midnight, Texas.

His contract was up in March 2017, according to various US trades, but left the Comcast-owned NBCU yesterday. There was no word on a new job.

Rothberg joined Universal TV in 2009 after working for the NBC network and Universal TV predecessor Universal Media Studios. He also worked as VP, current programming at Fox.