NBCUniversal CEO Jeff Shell is out after he admitted to having an “inappropriate relationship” with a woman in the company.
Parent company Comcast announced the move today following an investigation led by outside counsel into a complaint of inappropriate conduct. Shell said: “Today is my last day as CEO of NBCUniversal.
“I had an inappropriate relationship with a woman in the company, which I deeply regret. I’m truly sorry I let my Comcast and NBCUniversal colleagues down, they are the most talented people in the business and the opportunity to work with them the last 19 years has been a privilege.”
Comcast CEO Brian Roberts and President Mike Cavanagh said in a statement:
“We are disappointed to share this news with you. We built this company on a culture of integrity.
“Nothing is more important than how we treat each other.
“You should count on your leaders to create a safe and respectful workplace.
“When our principles and policies are violated, we will always move quickly to take appropriate action, as we have done here.”
According to Deadline:
Shell is a Comcast veteran. He became CEO of the company’s NBCUniversal division in January 2020, succeeding Steve Burke.
Previously, Shell was Chairman of NBCUniversal Film and Entertainment.
Prior to that, he served as Chairman of NBCUniversal International and President of Comcast Programming Group. He has been a trusted lieutenant of Comcast CEO Brian Roberts for many years.
The major upheaval comes as NBCUniversal is facing a big decision, what to do with its stake in Hulu.
It also comes as the company finally started to get some good news on its upstart streamer, Peacock, after a rocky first couple of years.
NEW: Comcast has agreed to mutually part ways with NBCUniversal CEO Jeff Shell over “inappropriate conduct,” the company said Sunday. In a joint statement, Shell admitted to having an “inappropriate relationship with a woman in the company.” https://t.co/dCWNPRgbYA
— Axios (@axios) April 23, 2023
“Today is my last day as CEO of NBCUniversal,” Shell wrote in a memo to staff. “I had an inappropriate relationship with a woman in the company, which I deeply regret. I’m truly sorry I let my Comcast and NBCUniversal colleagues down.” https://t.co/i9Pfulwmn8
— Variety (@Variety) April 23, 2023
BREAKING: Jeff Shell out as CEO of NBCUniversal, effective immediately, after “investigation led by outside counsel into a complaint of inappropriate conduct.” https://t.co/lU235Nzo14
— CNBC Now (@CNBCnow) April 23, 2023
