The first Chairman for NBCUniversal Local, the division of Comcast-owned NBCU that houses its NBC and Telemundo owned-station operations, has been selected.
It’s a familiar figure who has been associated with NBC’s O&Os for more than a decade.
Earning the role is Valari Staab, who Mark Lazarus, Chairman of NBCUniversal Television and Streaming, praised as “an outstanding, innovative leader with a proven track record of success” who “transformed” NBCU’s local business and is a valuable part of the NBCU management team.
A broadcast veteran with more than 35 years of experience, Staab joined NBCUniversal in 2011 as President of the NBC Owned Television Stations group.
Two years later, she acquired oversight of the Telemundo owned stations and used NBCUniversal’s investment in its stations to transform all NBC/Telemundo owned stations to the multiplatform local news providers they are today.
Earlier this month, NBC stations announced the launch of their streaming news channels on Peacock while Telemundo stations in key markets prepare to launch their very own streaming news channels later this year. NBCU’s Regional Sports Networks also plan to debut their own direct-to-consumer products later this year.
In 2021, NBC’s Regional Sports Networks were integrated with the NBC/Telemundo owned stations.
Staab’s most recent accomplishments include assisting with the launch of NBCLX, a digital multicast and streaming network “designed to reach the next generation of local news audiences.”
It was also under Staab’s leadership that “NBC Spot On” entered the marketplace, in early 2020. NBC Spot On is an advanced video advertising business for local/regional CTV and OTT advertisers designed to help boost advertisers’ reach with their intended audiences.
Before joining NBCUniversal, Staab primarily worked at the ABC Owned Television Stations, where she served in a variety of roles in general management, research and creative services across several markets including KGO-7 in San Francisco. Before her time with the ABC Owned Television Stations, Staab worked in marketing and research for KPRC-2 in Houston and KLTV-7 in Tyler, Texas, today owned by Gray Television. Staab began her career at KLTV while attending college.
In related news, Dan Lovinger has been promoted to President of NBC Advertising Sales and Partnerships.
In this new role, he will be responsible for stewarding and monetizing all of NBCUniversal’s Olympic and Paralympic interests,
