Netflix hires NBC’s Pakosta for comedy

Netflix has tapped US broadcast network NBC’s co-president of scripted programming Tracey Pakosta as its new head of comedy series.

Tracey Pakosta

Pakosta joins the global streamer after nearly a decade with NBCUniversal (NBCU) and will report to Netflix’s recently appointed head of global TV, Bela Bajaria, who is in the process of setting up a new management team.

Andy Weil, who had served as interim head of comedy series, will remain at Netflix and report to Pakosta, who previously worked with Bajaria and Weil when they were at Universal TV.

Pakosta will oversee both development and current programming for Netflix’s slate of scripted comedy series, including adult animation and live-action family comedies, as well as the stand-up and comedy formats team.

The exec was named co-president of scripted programming at NBCU in 2018, alongside Lisa Katz, having previously been executive VP of comedy at the studio.

During her time at NBC, Pakosta developed shows including The Good Place and Superstore, and at Universal TV she shepherded Brooklyn Nine-Nine, The Mindy Project and The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt to success.

Prior to working at Universal TV, Pakosta was partner at Green Mountain West, Craig Ferguson’s production company for CBS Television Studios. Prior to that she served as executive VP of comedy development at The WB.

Bajaria recently added to her management team with the appointment of veteran TV development executive Nne Ebong as VP of overall deals.

Pakosta, meanwhile, fills the role left vacant after the departure of Jane Wiseman, former head of comedy at the streamer, who became the latest executive to leave the streamer following the managerial shake-up that saw Bajaria take up her role.

Wiseman followed VP of original series Channing Dungey, who recently resurfaced as head of Warner Bros Television Group, out of the door along with VP of original series Nina Wolarsky and VP of original content Cindy Holland.

Ted Sarandos, who was made co-CEO of Netflix in July, addressed the managerial shake-up at the streamer during Mipcom Online+ last month.

Sarandos said Bajaria’s new role signalled how important local-language original programming and unscripted television would be for the streamer over the next decade as it continues to grow its subscription base outside the US.