Universal drama exec Rothberg exits

Universal Television’s head of drama development has become the latest senior exec to leave the company in the wake of changes to its management team.

Russell Rothberg

Russell Rothberg, who was exec VP of drama development, had been at Universal TV since 2009 having joined from NBC, where he was senior VP of drama programming.

Rothberg, whose contract was up in March, had previously worked at Fox as VP of current programming and his credits include Bates Motel for A&E, Chicago Fire for NBC and the forthcoming Pure Genius on CBS.

He is the latest senior exec to depart Universal TV. Bela Bajaria revealed last month she was leaving after five years as president.

Universal’s series orders were down from 12 in 2015 to just seven for the upcoming season, a decline that has ultimately led to the reshuffle.

Bajaria has been replaced by NBC’s head of drama Pearlena Igbokwe, whose role has been filled by 20th Century Fox TV’s Lisa Katz.