Jeff Shell was named Chief Executive Officer of NBCUniversal in January 2020. He oversees the company’s valuable portfolio of news and entertainment television networks, a premiere motion picture company, significant television and sports production operations, a leading television stations group, world-renowned theme parks and a premium ad-supported streaming service.
Previously, Shell was Chairman of NBCUniversal Film and Entertainment. In this role, he oversaw the content creation, as well as the programming and distribution engines behind NBCUniversal’s film and network television businesses, including NBC Entertainment, Universal Filmed Entertainment Group (UFEG), Telemundo and NBCUniversal International. He was also responsible for driving the extensions of the company’s intellectual property and consumer product strategy with Universal Brand Development, as well as the expansion of the go-to destination for moviegoers with Fandango.
Shell served as Chairman of UFEG from 2013 to 2019. Over the course of his tenure, Universal celebrated four years of record profit, and the two most profitable years in the studio’s 107- year history with titles from some of its biggest franchises such as Fast & Furious, Jurassic World and Illumination’s Despicable Me. With Shell’s oversight, Universal Brand Development’s portfolio grew extensively to include Consumer Products, Games and Digital Platforms, and Live Entertainment and Fandango’s portfolio expanded to include a global suite of ticketing properties. Additionally, the company acquired DreamWorks Animation in 2016, and under Shell’s leadership, the global family entertainment company and its feature film and television brands became an integral part of UFEG.
Prior to joining UFEG, Shell served as Chairman of NBCUniversal International where he managed all aspects of the company’s international businesses including International TV Distribution, Global Television Networks, and International Television Production. He also oversaw, in partnership with their domestic leaders, CNBC International, International Theatrical Marketing and Distribution, International Home Entertainment and International Theme Parks Operations.
Shell previously served as President of Comcast Programming Group where he was responsible for managing Comcast’s national and regional television networks including E! Entertainment Network, the Golf Channel, International Channel Networks, and Comcast Sports Group. During his six-year tenure, Comcast’s networks grew significantly in distribution, viewership and profitability.
Before Comcast, Shell was CEO of Gemstar TV Guide International leading the business through several legal and operational challenges. Before Gemstar, he held several positions at
News Corporation including President, FOX Cable Networks Group. He also held leadership roles at The Walt Disney Company and Salomon Brothers prior to joining News Corporation.
Shell received his master’s degree in Business Administration from Harvard University and his bachelor’s in Economics and Applied Mathematics from University of California, Berkeley. He serves on the board of UC Berkley Board of Visitors.
