Andy Lack is out as head of NBC News amid leadership shakeup

Andy Lack is stepping down as head of NBCUniversal’s news operation as part of a shakeup of its TV business.

Lack is being replaced by Cesar Conde, who is now chairman of NBCUniversal News Group, including NBC, MSNBC and CNBC, the company said Monday. Conde had overseen NBCUniversal’s Spanish-language network, Telemundo.

The moves are part of a broader reorganization at the entertainment division of Comcast Corp. Under the new structure, NBC’s TV networks and new streaming service, Peacock, will be under Mark Lazarus, who continues to lead NBC’s sports broadcasting, among other responsibilities.

The changes mark the first big moves under new NBCUniversal Chief Executive Officer Jeff Shell, who said they represent a “more unified approach to our content strategy.” They also come as NBCUniversal considers job cuts at some divisions, including film and theme parks, which have been hit hard by the coronavirus.

During Lack’s tenure, NBC News faced criticism for how it handled harassment claims against former “Today” show host Matt Lauer and Ronan Farrow’s reporting for the network about disgraced Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein.

Lack, who previously ran Bloomberg’s media division, part of Bloomberg LP, has denied that NBC tried to cover up Lauer’s misconduct and has said Farrow’s story didn’t run because it didn’t have a witness or victim speaking on the record.

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