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5 days ago
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EXCLUSIVE: NBCUniversal Studio Group Pete Levinsohn has made some executive changes in its his division of the studio: Universal Pictures Home Entertainment President Michael Bonner is taking on the new role of President of Global TV Distribution, while Justin Che is being named President of UPHE.
Che was previously Managing Director of APAC TV Distribution and International Networks & DTC.
With this elevation, Bonner represents NBCUniversal TV Distribution around the world for free, pay and new media platforms. His oversee will be 20 offices worldwide that support over 200 territories and 1,800 clients. Global TV Distribution and Universal Pictures Home Entertainment sit under Universal Film Entertainment Group reporting up into Pete Levinsohn, Chairman, Global Distribution, NBCUniversal Studio Group.
Bonner assumed the role of President of Global TV Distribution last month, the news shared in an internal memo to staff last month.
Bonner counts more than 30 years of experience in content distribution, spanning several inflection points of the industry from Cable Entertainment at the height of cable assets; to the nascent days of streaming where he helped shape NBCUniversal’s Hulu partnership; to most recently, as current President of Universal Pictures Home Entertainment (UPHE), where he steered Universal’s entry into PVOD. Wicked recently became the highest grossing PVOD title in the studio’s history with more than $70M earned in revenue in its first week.
Che is known in the org for his domestic and international experience managing complex sales businesses and revenue centers.
After Belinda Menendez announced her retirement in September 2024, NBCUni, I hear, focused on a transition plan that would build upon the excellence of the TV Distribution organization while ushering in the next phase of the business’s growth.
Below is Levinsohn’s internal email to staff:
Dear Colleagues,
First and foremost, I want to acknowledge the heart wrenching experiences many on our team have endured over the last few weeks here in Los Angeles. It’s been a challenging time, but I’m incredibly proud of the support and empathy you’ve all shown one another. It’s a testament to the team and culture we’ve cultivated.
That same team has helped us navigate ongoing disruption and evolution in our industry and at NBCUniversal. We continue to deliver strong results, kicking off 2025 with the record-breaking video-on-demand release of Wicked. I’m confident this commitment to excellence will carry us through the year ahead and beyond.
With that in mind, I’m excited to share an update about our Home Entertainment division. As Michael Bonner officially steps into his new role as President of Global TV Distribution, we needed a leader to guide UPHE’s next chapter, while maintaining the innovative spirit and unique culture that sets our team apart. I’m pleased to announce that our own Justin Che will become President of UPHE, effective immediately.
Justin is an accomplished executive, bringing nearly three decades of experience at NBCUniversal, spanning international and domestic roles in finance, business development and content distribution. Most recently, he spent 10 years leading our TV distribution business in Asia-Pacific as well as overseeing our international networks and DTC/streaming business development efforts across the region. Justin’s strategic expertise and proven leadership makes him the ideal choice to shepherd UPHE as the business continues its transition into the future.
Justin will be travelling back and forth for now and will return to Los Angeles permanently in April. In the meantime, I will work with Michael and our HR partners to appoint new leadership for our TVD business in Asia-Pacific and we look forward to sharing more with you soon.
Please join me in congratulating him on this well-deserved promotion and offering him a warm welcome back to his hometown.
Peter
