Jeff Shell ousted as NBCUniversal CEO, admits ‘inappropriate relationship’
- NBCUniversal Chief Executive Jeff Shell’s departure follows a complaint that prompted an investigation
- Shell joins other high-profile US executives who have lost their jobs in recent years over accusations of improper conduct
The chief executive of NBCUniversal has left the US entertainment giant after acknowledging “an inappropriate relationship” with a colleague, parent company Comcast announced on Sunday.
Comcast said in a statement that it came to a “mutual decision” with Jeff Shell for him to step down “effective immediately” and “following the company’s investigation led by outside counsel into a complaint of inappropriate conduct”.
NBCUniversal, which was fully acquired by Comcast in 2013, owns a broad portfolio of television news and entertainment networks, as well as a motion picture studio, theme parks and a premium streaming service.
“Today is my last day as CEO of NBCUniversal,” Shell, 57, said in the Comcast statement.
He acknowledged having “had an inappropriate relationship with a woman in the company”.
“I’m truly sorry I let my Comcast and NBCUniversal colleagues down, they are the most talented people in the business,” he added.