NBCUniversal layoffs hit Susan Rovner's Entertainment Content Division after the conglomerate merged its development teams from Peacock and its linear networks
The reductions were expected after the conglomerate merged its development teams from Peacock and its linear networks.The expected layoffs in Susan Rovner's Entertainment Content Division have begun. Sources say 50 employees were let go Tuesday from Rovner's. The merged programming team was the hardest hit with Tuesday's layoffs. Other divisions, including scheduling and acquisitions, were also impacted.
The moves come after Rovner's senior leaders of scripted, unscripted and late night solidified their respective teams. Cara Dellaverson and Alex Sepiol will co-lead drama and current development under head of scripted Lisa Katz. Jeff Meyerson will oversee comedy current and development, with Michael Sluchan overseeing kids programming and co-productions, with both also reporting to Katz.
The majority of those impacted Tuesday were from jobs that were reduced when NBCUniversal merged business and content teams from a network by network grouping into one unified group. That means execs who previously oversaw scripted for NBC are also covering Peacock and all of the company's cable brands.
Tuesday's layoffs mirror similar staff reductions that came in November that were part of Frances Berwick's business division. Both rounds of layoffs are the direct result of NBCU's decision to consolidate its entertainment content and business divisions under Rovner and Berwick, respectively.
Both Berwick and Rovner's teams each oversee responsibilities for a consolidated portfolio, meaning an executive working on reality programming at E!, for example, will now do so for NBC, streamer Peacock, Bravo, Oxygen, Syfy and USA Network.