“Today is my last day as CEO of NBCUniversal,” Shell wrote in a memo to staff. “I had an inappropriate relationship with a woman in the company, which I deeply regret. I’m truly sorry I let my Comcast and NBCUniversal colleagues down, they are the most talented people in the business and the opportunity to work with them the last 19 years has been a privilege.”
“We are disappointed to share this news with you. We built this company on a culture of integrity. Nothing is more important than how we treat each other,” Roberts and Cavanagh said in a memo. “You should count on your leaders to create a safe and respectful workplace. When our principles and policies are violated, we will always move quickly to take appropriate action, as we have done here.”
The news, which sent shockwaves through the Burbank-based company, is unfolding days ahead of Comcast reporting its first quarter results on Thursday, including conference call with Wall Street analysts. It’s also shaking out weeks before the TV industry’s annual upfront ad sales season, which could raise eyebrows and questions from advertisers.
Roberts and Cavanagh added, “NBCUniversal is performing extremely well operationally and financially, and we couldn’t be more enthusiastic about our position and prospects going forward. We are fortunate to have an experienced, world-class group of executives leading this incredible company.”
Succeeding Steve Burke, Shell assumed the role of CEO on Jan. 1, 2020, shortly before the pandemic upended almost every aspect of the company. He reported directly to Comcast CEO Roberts and was responsible for overseeing everything from news and entertainment TV networks, to the film studio, theme parks and other divisions. As NBCUniversal CEO, Shell was also charged with moving the company more heavily into streaming.
In recent months, NBCU has gotten more aggressive with Peacock by pushing new sports and news concepts.
“Jeff Shell is the ideal executive to take the helm at NBCUniversal,” Roberts had said of Shell’s hiring as CEO. “I have worked closely with Jeff for many years and he is an extraordinary leader who inspires loyalty, delivers strong results and cares deeply about our company, its employees and partners. I could not be more confident in his ability to lead NBCUniversal into the future.”
Shell’s abrupt ouster is another sign that the standards for corporate office behavior have changed over the past six years since the #MeToo reckoning began.
His sudden exit from Universal City recalls Jeff Zucker’s sudden fall from the top job at CNN last year after the disclosure of his relationship with a longtime subordinate executive.
