NBC replaces Amazon-bound Salke

Tracey Pakosta (left) and Lisa Katz

NBC Entertainment has appointed two co-presidents to oversee its scripted output after Jennifer Salke was poached by Amazon.

NBC drama chief Lisa Katz and comedy head Tracey Pakosta have been upped to co-presidents of scripted programming for NBC Entertainment, with both reporting to NBC Entertainment chairman Robert Greenblatt.

Katz arrived at NBC in 2016 as exec VP of drama, having previously developed This Is Us at 20th Century Fox Television, while Pakosta has been with the company since 2011.

Pakosta previously worked for Universal TV, with credits including Superstore and forthcoming comedy Champions.

NBC has also confirmed Pearlena Igbokwe, Universal TV’s president, will now report to Greenblatt, having previously reported to Salke.

Greenblatt said Katz and Pakosta had “impeccable taste, strong leadership and a deep understanding of the NBC brand.”

He added: “Their relationships with top showrunners and talent are second to none, and I have no doubt their combined experience and expertise will build on the incredible momentum the network has right now.”

The reshuffle comes after former scripted president Salke’s decision to move to become head of Amazon Studios, four months after the departure of Roy Price.

Price stepped down as head of the streaming giant’s studio division in October following his suspension amid allegations of sexual misconduct. In her new role, Salke will report to Jeff Blackburn, Amazon’s Seattle-based senior VP of business development and digital entertainment.