NBCUniversal’s long-awaited move to spin off most of its cable assets and reorganize the studio’s top leadership inspired plenty of questions about the media conglomerate’s future – and, for many in the industry, a case of Donna Langley déjà vu. The veteran film executive who had been chief content officer across all of NBCUniversal has yet again expanded her role at the company, this time to Chairman of NBCUniversal Entertainment and Studios. The promotion gives her sole greenlight power over content and marketing spending across film, TV and streaming.
Comcast veteran Matt Strauss was named chair of NBCUniversal’s media group, overseeing ad sales, distribution and affiliate relations. “This is a coronation for Donna,” said one elite dealmaker who works with actors and directors. “Well, another one.
” The agent isn’t wrong, nor are numerous Hollywood players that Variety spoke with who wondered what the difference is between her new role and the Chief Content Officer role she took on 16 months ago. It was then, in July 2023, Langley was given reign over all creative endeavors at the company. But at an organization as byzantine as NBCU, there’s palace intrigue behind every peacock feather.
This time around, the big chess piece that slides onto Langley’s side of the board is Bravo. For the past year and a half, tensions flared up within the groups led by Langley and the former NBCU media group chairman Mark Lazarus, an executive who will now serve as.
