Jeff Shell to Succeed Steve Burke as CEO of NBCUniversal

NBCUniversal CEO Steve Burke will retire on August 14, 2020, with Jeff Shell, currently chairman of the filmed entertainment group, named as his successor.

Burke will retire on August 14, 2020, following the Summer Olympics in Tokyo. Upon Burke’s retirement, Shell will report directly to Brian Roberts, chairman and CEO of Comcast.

Effective January 1, 2020, Shell will become CEO of NBCUniversal, reporting to Burke, who will move to the role of chairman of NBCUniversal.

Roberts commented: “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.”

Roberts continued, “Jeff Shell is the ideal executive to take the helm at NBCUniversal. He has a stellar track record across both the film and TV side of the business, as well as a wealth of international experience. I have worked closely with Jeff for many years and he is an extraordinary leader who inspires loyalty, delivers strong results and cares deeply about our company, its employees and partners. I could not be more confident in his ability to lead NBCUniversal into the future.”

Burke commented, “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 added, “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.”

Shell was named chairman of Universal Filmed Entertainment Group in September of 2013. He is currently based in Los Angeles and reports to Burke. Shell has been overseeing worldwide operations for the motion picture group, including its global theatrical and home entertainment businesses. In his former position as chairman of NBCUniversal International, based in London, Shell was responsible for overseeing the operations of all NBCUniversal International businesses, including international TV distribution, global television networks and international television production. In addition to managing the day-to-day operations for the company outside the U.S., Shell was responsible for identifying and executing all international growth opportunities for both NBCUniversal and Comcast Corporation overall.

Burke has been chief executive of NBCU since January 2011, upon the closing of Comcast and General Electric’s JV merging the assets of NBC Universal with Comcast’s programming assets. He has been overseeing the company’s portfolio of news, sports and entertainment networks, motion picture company, television production operations, television stations group and theme parks.