Steve Burke, a Comcast Corp. executive and stalwart of the entertainment industry, is stepping down as the head of NBCUniversal next year, handing the reins to lieutenant Jeff Shell, according to a person familiar with the matter.
Burke will leave when his contract expires in August, said the person. Shell, the head of the film side of NBCUniversal, was given additional duties in a January shake-up, setting the stage for him to take over the business.
Burke’s exit comes at a challenging moment for NBCUniversal. The business — a sprawling entertainment operation that includes NBC, Universal Pictures and theme parks — is preparing to launch a streaming platform called Peacock next year.
The new service is up against a crowded field of competitors, including Netflix, AT&T Inc.’s HBO Max, Walt Disney Co.’s Disney+ and Apple Inc.’s TV+.
