Job losses expected at NBCU

NBCUniversal (NBCU) is merging its UK and emerging channels business with a number of positions being cut including that of the UK MD role, held by Nicky Douglas.

Nicky Douglas

The US media giant has brought together its channels business in the UK, Central and Eastern Europe, the Middle East and Africa, under Colin McLeod, who was previously MD for emerging markets at NBCUniversal International Networks. The move means the UK MD role held by Nicky Douglas will be scrapped.

A source told C21 that Douglas is “in consultation” with the company, along with a “significant number of other employees.” The consultation period is expected to last around six weeks.

Douglas joined the firm in 2013 and oversees its UK portfolio of channels, including Universal Channels, Syfy, E! Entertainment, The Style Network and Movies 24.

Staff received an e-mail from chief financial officer and senior VP Marie Holive about the move yesterday morning.

NBCU’s production arm, which includes Downton Abbey prodco Carnival films, will not be affected by the changes.

It is unclear how many staff are impacted by the changes and the total number in the workforce across the regions.

The news comes after the group unveiled a regional hub for its distribution and network operations across Europe, the Middle East and Africa in August.