NBCUniversal chief Jeff Shell sacked over ‘inappropriate relationship’

FILE PHOTO: Jeff Shell, CEO of NBCUniversal, speaks during a conference at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity in Cannes, France, June 22, 2022. REUTERS/Eric Gaillard/File Photo - ERIC GAILLARD/REUTERS

The chief executive of one of the US’s largest media companies has quit unexpectedly after admitting an “inappropriate relationship” with a woman he worked with.

NBCUniversal has ousted Jeff Shell following an external investigation into allegations of inappropriate conduct.

In a note to staff shared by parent company Comcast, Jeff Shell said: “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.”

Comcast said the investigation was led by an outside law firm but provided no more details.

Mr Shell has led NBCUniversal since 2020 and oversaw the US media group’s broad range of businesses, including the Universal film and TV studios, the Peacock streaming service, news channels MSNBC and CNBC, and Universal’s theme parks.

Prior to holding the top job, he was chairman of NBCUniversal film and entertainment.

People take selfies with an icon near the entrance to Universal Studios Beijing in Beijing, Monday, Sept. 20, 2021. Thousands of people brave the rain visit to the newest location of the global brand of theme parks which officially opens on Monday. (AP Photo/Andy Wong) - AP Photo/Andy Wong

Comcast said Mr Shell was stepping down effective immediately and has not yet named a successor.

His senior team will now report directly to Mike Cavanagh, president of Comcast.

In the email to staff, Mr Cavanagh and Comcast boss Brian Roberts said: “We built this company on a culture of integrity. Nothing is more important than how we treat each other.

“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.”

Mr Shell’s ousting is not the first high-profile Hollywood departure in controversial circumstances.

NBCUniversal chairman Ron Meyer left the company in 2020 after disclosing a settlement with a woman with whom he had a consensual affair years ago.

In 2019, Warner Bros chairman and chief executive Kevin Tsujihara resigned amid reports he improperly helped an actress obtain roles at the studio.