NBCU shakes up cable group

NBCUniversal (NBCU) is revamping its Cable Entertainment group, with four of its networks being moved into the Entertainment Networks division.

Chris McCumber

USA, Syfy, Chiller and Cloo will all come under NBCU Entertainment Networks, headed by its new president Chris McCumber, previously USA’s president.

Syfy president David Howe will become president of strategy and commercial growth, working with NBCU Cable Entertainment chairman Bonnie Hammer to find new technologies and opportunities in the US and internationally.

NBCU Cable Entertainment’s scripted development efforts will now fall within Syfy exec Bill McGoldrink’s remit as new exec VP of scripted content.

He will work across USA, Syfy, E! and Bravo’s output, reporting to Jeff Wachtel, chief content officer and head of studios at NBCU Cable Entertainment.

Hammer said in a memo to staff: “In this rapidly changing media environment, the biggest challenge is not only adapting to change but staying one step ahead of it.”

No immediate redundancies are expected as a result of the latest changes.

The shift comes after a similar move in 2014 that saw Bravo, E!, Esquire Network and Oxygen brought together under the Lifestyle Networks arm, headed by Frances Berwick.