NBC Universal president and chief executive officer Jeff Zucker announced his departure from the company in a memo to staff Friday morning.
"When Comcast assumes control of NBC Universal, I will leave the company," Zucker wrote.
Zucker, who spent over 20 years at NBC Universal had been president and chief executive officer since February 2007.
Zucker's departure was widely expected within the industry, with NBC the fourth place network and especially after a disastrous mishandling of the network's late night shuffle between Conan O'Brian and Jay Leno last year that ended with O'Brian leaving NBC amid public recriminations.
In a pre-exit interview in his newspaper of preference, the New York Times, Zucker said that his decision became clear after meeting with Comcast COO Steve Burke two weeks ago.
“We had both gotten to the same place,” Mr. Zucker told the Times. “He made it clear that they wanted to move on at the close of the deal and I was completely comfortable with that.”
In his memo to staff, Zucker said the choice to leave "has not been an easy or simple decision."
"I have spent my entire adult life here, more than 24 years. This is the only place I have ever worked," Zucker wrote.
In a statement Comcast chairman-CEO Brian L. Roberts praised Zucker, saying: "Jeff Zucker has devoted his entire professional life to NBC, and he has led the company with integrity and purpose. The success of NBC Universal puts us in a wonderful position as we plan for our joint venture with GE," he said. "We wish Jeff well in his future endeavors."
An individual at NBCU told TheWrap that the timing of Zucker's departure was a shock to the everyone at the network and that none of the executives who directly report to him were notified prior to the memo's arrival in their inboxes.
Top West Coast executives got the call early Friday morning.
The individual said Comcast was hoping to make its own appointment in the top spot at NBC Universal.
In the note announcing his departure, Zucker expressed pride in his work, despite his controversial reign.
"I am proud that they will inherit a company in very good shape, with almost every one of our divisions enjoying their best year ever. The current strength of the company is a tribute to every one of you and the terrific leadership team that is in place," Zucker wrote.
Zucker tapped Jeff Gaspin to head NBCU's television entertainment division in July 2009. Since then, the network launched an ambitious slate of new scripted shows for this fall and early ratings results have been encouraging.
Under Zucker, NBCU greatly expanded their cable operations at CNBC, MSNBC, USA and Bravo. The network also grew their digital operations including an ambitious local news project.
Zucker will stay on at NBCU for the next few months to assist in the transition.
Read the full memo announcing Zucker's departure below.
