CMCSA Comcast Corporation

By Joe Flint 

This article is being republished as part of our daily reproduction of WSJ.com articles that also appeared in the U.S. print edition of The Wall Street Journal (September 25, 2018).

Robert Greenblatt, the longtime chairman of Comcast Corp.'s NBC Entertainment unit, is resigning.

Mr. Greenblatt led a revival of NBC's prime-time lineup with shows such as the drama " This Is Us" and the comedy "The Good Place." Mr. Greenblatt told NBCUniversal Chief Executive Steve Burke that after eight seasons in the job, he was ready for a new challenge. His departure is effective immediately.

"I really do believe it's time for me to move on," Mr. Greenblatt said in an interview. When Comcast tapped him to run NBC's entertainment operations in 2011, the network was struggling, as was its sister production studio. Both have since improved markedly.

Mr. Greenblatt is being replaced by two NBC insiders. Sharing the job are Paul Telegdy, president of NBC Entertainment's alternative and reality group, and George Cheeks, president of late-night programming and co-president of Universal Cable Productions.

"Bob assembled a very strong team. It never occurred to us to look outside," said Mr. Burke.

NBC is the only major broadcast network to see its total viewership rise over the past five years from an average of 7.1 million in the 2012-13 season to 8.9 million last season, according to Nielsen. While all the networks have declined among the coveted adults ages 18 to 49 demographic that advertisers favor, NBC is down only 8% while Fox, CBS and NBC are down by double-digit percentages. Last season, CBS finished first in viewers while NBC took the 18 to 49 crown.

The network gets a huge boost from its "Sunday Night Football" franchise and its coverage of the Olympics. Under Mr. Greenblatt, it also has had other successes including " The Blacklist" and its live musicals such as "The Sound of Music" and " Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert."

Mr. Greenblatt oversaw the Universal Television production studio as well. Besides making much of the content on NBC, it has shows on rival networks and streaming services including CBS and Netflix.

"Bob was the guy who turned it around," said Mr Burke of Mr. Greenblatt's run at the company, adding, "he is very proud to go out on top."

Mr. Greenblatt said he was interested in expanding his role at the company, but when Comcast's efforts to acquire 21st Century Fox fell short, he realized his options were limited.

"It didn't make sense to insert me into something else," Mr. Greenblatt said. He will remain available as a consultant to NBC during the new TV season. Mr. Greenblatt said he has no immediate plans.

Prior to joining NBC, Mr. Greenblatt headed entertainment for CBS Corp.'s Showtime channel. He spearheaded that network's push into original series with such successes as "Nurse Jackie" and "Dexter."

NBC's executive shuffle is one of several in the works across the media landscape. As Walt Disney Co. prepares for its acquisition of the bulk of 21st Century Fox's entertainment assets it, too, is rearranging its executive ranks.

Ben Sherwood, president of the ABC TV Group and a co-chair of Disney Media Networks along with ESPN President Jimmy Pitaro, is expected to leave the company, a person close to him said. Incoming 21st Century Fox television executives Peter Rice and Dana Walden are expected to take senior positions at Disney. Variety earlier reported Mr. Sherwood's expected departure.

Mr. Rice will oversee all of Disney's TV operations except for ESPN, while Ms. Walden will be in charge of content for ABC, its sister production studio and the Freeform cable channel, people familiar with the matter said. Ms. Walden will report to Mr. Rice.

The 21st Century Fox assets Disney isn't acquiring will become part of a new company tentatively called Fox.

21st Century Fox and Wall Street Journal parent News Corp. share common ownership.

Write to Joe Flint at joe.flint@wsj.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

September 25, 2018 02:47 ET (06:47 GMT)

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