Susan Rovner, a former Warner Bros. executive who is credited with overseeing the development of dozens of hit television shows, has been asked to replicate that success at Comcast’s NBCUniversal.
On Tuesday, NBCUniversal parent company Comcast announced Rovner has been hired as its chairman of entertainment content, a role that will involve managing Comcast’s broadcast, cable and streaming television content across its NBCUniversal platforms.
The move continues a prolonged shuffle of top brass at NBCUniversal that has seen a revolving door of executives come and go across the company over the last few months.
In her role, Rovner will be tasked with finding and picking the best content for NBC’s traditional and emerging media platforms, including streaming service Peacock and cable channels E!, Bravo, USA Network and Oxygen.
She has a track record of picking excellent shows that draw and hold viewers: At Warner Bros., she oversaw the development of dozens of shows during her tenure of two decades. Around 18 series crossed the coveted 100-episode mark typically needed for a show to enter syndication.
At Comcast, Rovner is expected to work closely with Frances Berwick, NBC Universal’s chairman who is in charge of overseeing marketing and business initiatives for Comcast’s legacy media properties, and Matthew Strauss, an executive tasked with overseeing the development of Peacock. She will report to Mark Lazarus, the company’s chairman of television and streaming.
“Susan is the bold creative force we need as we rethink the future of our business,” Lazarus said in a statement on Monday. “Throughout this process I have been consistently impressed by her strong perspective, track record of success and passion for content. Susan joins a great team that is poised to begin a new era at [NBC Universal].”
Rovner said she is excited to join her counterparts at Comcast and is encouraged by their “vision for the future of content at [NBC Universal].”
“[NBC Universal] has a deep-rooted tradition of having the best programming from visionary creators,” Rovner said in a statement. “I feel so grateful for the opportunity to join this incredible organization as it builds on that legacy to head into the future.”
