Gaspin confirms NBCU departure

NBC Universal (NBCU) television chairman Jeff Gaspin has confirmed speculation that he will leave after Comcast’s takeover of the company goes through.

In a memo to staff, Gaspin said he would be leaving the firm he has been with for nearly two decades “a short time after the merger” finalises, which is likely to be later this year or early next, subject to regulatory approval.

He said he had failed to reach an agreement with Steve Burke, Comcast’s chief operating office, who is due to become CEO of NBCU, about what his role would be following the takeover.

“Under the current structure, all of the television entertainment assets, including cable, broadcast and distribution, report to me,” Gaspin wrote to staff. “As is his prerogative, Steve has determined that he wants to move in a different direction, and given the scope of my current responsibilities, we could not agree on an appropriate role for me in the new company.”

Gaspin’s announcement follows that of current NBCU CEO Jeff Zucker, who said in September he would also be leaving after the takeover. Speculation in the US suggests that Comcast may unveil its new management line-up for NBCU as soon as tomorrow.

However, the news comes as US senator Bernie Sanders today wrote to the Federal Communications Commission urging it to block the takeover.

“The sale of NBCU to Comcast would create an enormously powerful, vertically integrated media conglomerate, causing irreparable damage to the American media landscape, and ultimately to society as a whole,” Sanders wrote.