NBCUniversal Consolidates RSN Operations

NBCUniversal has consolidated the operations and administrative functions of its regional sports networks into its owned-and-operated television stations, a move executives say will "help position all of our local businesses for continued success."

In an internal memo sent to employees Jan. 22 and obtained by the Philadelphia Business Journal, Valari Staab, president of NBCUniversal Owned Television Stations, noted that last October, the six regional sports networks, or RSNs, begun the process of consolidating functions with the TV networks division. The decision is part of an effort "to figure out how we can maximize our shared resources," Staab said.

As of Jan. 25, the two started to "operate and collaborate as one team, focused on serving English and Spanish-speaking audiences with the best local sports, news and information for our markets," Staab wrote in the memo. "All of the resources that are currently available to the NBC/Telemundo owned stations will be available to the RSNs."

The news comes just a week after Comcast Corp.-owned NBC said it plans to shut down its NBCSN national sports channel by the end of the year — a move that will not affect the RSNs.

In August, NBCU laid off almost 10% of its 35,000 employees — just a week after Comcast reported the division suffered a 25% decline in revenue due to theme park closures, the postponement of movie releases and faltering advertising sales. Those cuts included 17 NBCSP employees, such as veteran sports reporter Derrick Gunn and longtime media relations professional Maureen Quilter.

The new structure will have Bill Bridgen, president, group leader for NBC Sports Regional Networks serving as group leader for the RSNs with the general managers reporting to him.

NBC has RSNs in Philadelphia,Boston, Washington, D.C., Chicago, San Francisco and Portland. It also has a minority interest in SportsNet New York.