NBCUniversal has tapped Valari Dobson Staab to be chairman of NBCUniversal Local, a division that includes the NBC owned-and-operated local stations, the Telemundo-owned stations, and the NBC regional sports networks.
Staab has overseen NBC’s local stations since 2011, and Telemundo’s stations since 2013. She reports to Mark Lazarus, chairman of NBCUniversal television and streaming.
The new role for Staab appears set to emphasize the streaming side of the business, with the company saying Monday that NBC’s RSNs, which have rights to local teams like the Philadelphia Phillies and Boston Celtics, is in development on a direct-to-consumer offering. Details for the RSN DTC plan were not disclosed, and on Tuesday a spokesperson for NBCUniversal Local walked back the line about the RSNs, saying that it “was inadvertently included and was misleading.”
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“In a personnel-related announcement issued by NBCUniversal Local on Jan. 31, a reference to the NBC Sports Regional Networks’ direct-to-consumer (DTC) plans was inadvertently included and was misleading,” the spokesperson said. “At this stage in the process, our DTC strategy is evolving as we assess options in each of the unique sports markets we serve. At this time, we don’t have any further details about launch plans including timing or markets. More information will be announced when available.”
Meanwhile, NBC’s local stations launched their own streaming channels on Peacock earlier this month, with Telemundo set to follow later in the year.
“Valari is an outstanding, innovative leader with a proven track record of success,” said Lazarus in a statement. “She has transformed our local business and is a valuable part of the NBCU management team.”
8:50 am, Feb. 1 Updated with a statement about the DTC service for the RSNs.
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