NBCU CEO Steve Burke Sends Out Grinch-y Holiday Note To Staff, Hints OTT Platform News May Be Finally Coming

This is not your typical CEO end-of-year letter to employees. Clearly with the boxoffice success of Universal’s Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch on his mind, NBCUniversal’s  Steve Burke got into character to recap 2018 and usher in 2019 as the cynical green creature.

In a lighthearted, self-deprecating holiday note to staff (aka residents of NBCU-ville), written as a Dr. Seuss-style poem, Burke mostly celebrated the company’s achievements, like landing Sky, while also recounting some setbacks, like losing the bidding war for the Fox assets to Disney.

During 2018 our businesses mostly rocked,
But it did not feel at all good  
when Disney got Fox.
We welcomed Sky –  
but please let no one reveal
That we won it from picking suitcases  
on Deal or No Deal.

Burke went on to list highlights for all divisions, including NBC, MSNBC and Telemundo’s ratings wins, the Olympics, NBCU’s new Total Audience Delivery metric (TAD) and new hit shows Manifest and New Amsterdam on NBC and The Purge and Sinner on USA. All NBC News and late-night shows made the honor roll, including morning heavyweight Today, though there was no mention of the Megyn Kelly’s debacle.

On the film side, Burke applauded the success of the new Jurassic World, Mamma Mia and Grinch installments. Boxoffice flop Skyscraper got a (dis)honorable mention, and the NBCU boss touted the recent DreamWorks acquisition with big plans for the new How To Train Your Dragon movie.

With Jurassic, Mamma Mia, and the Grinch – 
our films shined with luster,
Now the pressure is on to make  
How to Train Your Dragon a blockbuster!
And even though Skyscraper  
did not quite deliver,
We come back next year  
with Pets 2 in our quiver.

As for 2019, Burke poked some fun at Comcast’s long-in-the-works streaming plans, which are yet to be unveiled after years of talk.

And while you all go off
to relax, swim or ski …
Maybe, just maybe, next year
we will announce our plan for OTT!

Here is Burke’s letter in its entirety:

A letter to residents
of NBCU-ville at Grinchmas
(apologies to Dr. Seuss)

——————————–

It’s hard to believe,
but it’s that time of year,
When CEOs write their notes
that speak of holiday cheer.
Should I paint a nice picture
that makes you warm and happy?
Or be a grumpy CEO
and make you feel crappy?

I could compliment you
about all your hard work,
Or bug you about budgets,
and sound like a jerk!

During 2018 our businesses mostly rocked,
But it did not feel at all good
when Disney got Fox.
We welcomed Sky –
but please let no one reveal
That we won it from picking suitcases
on Deal or No Deal.

If you must know –
how did our businesses really do?
Then, pay close attention
and we will review …

We started the year with the Olympics
and a metric called “TAD.”
Either a genius invention,
or a sign that we have gone mad!

Hats off to MSNBC on the best
primetime 25-54 ratings ever,
The way you slice and dice ratings
by daypart is oh so clever!

From TODAY to Nightly,
NBC News has talent by the gallon
And in late night, it doesn’t get better than
SNL, Meyers and Fallon!

Our wonderful Theme Parks had
a stellar year, despite natural disasters …
We’re sad about Osaka’s Typhoon,
but thankful we’re also broadcasters!

Telemundo beat Univision
and continued their roll
While coverage of World Cup
had us all shouting “gooooooooaaaal!”

With Jurassic, Mamma Mia, and the Grinch –
our films shined with luster,
Now the pressure is on to make
How to Train Your Dragon a blockbuster!
And even though Skyscraper
did not quite deliver,
We come back next year
with Pets 2 in our quiver.

New Amsterdam and Manifest
gave NBC new hits again,
After six years as number one –
we should all shout … Amen!
Congratulations to USA on The Purge
and that creepy show Sinner,
Which I would advise you to avoid
while you’re eating dinner.

So, as we approach holiday trips
and the time to say bye-bye,
I am seriously considering
finally taking off my tie.

And while you all go off
to relax, swim or ski …
Maybe, just maybe, next year
we will announce our plan for OTT!

While I am excited each year
that our business always rises,
It’s the people of NBCU-ville
that make my heart grow three sizes.

Happy Holidays from me
to each and every one of you,
A Grinch toast “to kindness and love”
… and thanks for all that you do!

Steve Burke
CEO, NBCUniversal