NBC News is shutting down Peacock Productions, its Emmy-winning nonfiction production unit that focuses primarily on documentaries, reality series and news specials.
“NBC News is shuttering Peacock Productions, effective March 2,” a spokesperson for NBC News told TheWrap on Friday. “NBC News is shifting its documentary strategy to an entirely new model, consistent with industry trends, and unfortunately the existing operation is no longer viable. We are working with affected employees to help find positions around NBC Universal.”
A person familiar with the situation said the 32 people that currently work for the Peacock Productions who will be affected by the division’s shuttering were notified on Friday.
Peacock Productions currently works with both NBCUniversal outlets and competing broadcasters. Some of its recent projects have included Lifetime’s “Surviving R. Kelly: The Impact” and MSNBC’s “American Swamp.” Past projects include Discovery’s “Skywire Live,” a live special from 2013 that filmed daredevil Nik Wallenda crossing the Little Colorado River gorge near Grand Canyon National Park. Other clients of the production company include Animal Planet, A&E, the BBC, Bravo, BET, CNBC, E! and History, and National Geographic Channel.
The production company was founded in 2007. Elizabeth Cole was named president of the division in 2018. Cole is also an executive producer on “Dateline NBC.”