Pearlena Igbokwe is President of Universal Television

Pearlena’s remarkable track record in drama programming at NBC over the last few years made it clear that she was the ideal choice to lead the studio into its next phase of growth.

A couple of months after ABC’s Channing Dungey became the first African American TV network president, we have what is believed to be the first African American president of a major TV studio. NBCUniversal has finalized a deal with Pearlena Igbokwe to become President of Universal Television, effective immediately.

Igbokwe, most recently head of drama for NBC, replaces Bela Bajaria, who abruptly exited the post earlier this week. In her new role, Igbokwe will continue to report to Jennifer Salke, President, NBC Entertainment, who oversees the studio.

Igbokwe, whom NBC chairman Bob Greenblatt brought over from Showtime where the two had worked together, has had an impressive track record since joining NBC in 2012 with a string of drama series breakouts, including The Blacklist, Blindspot and some of the Chicago spinoffs. Most of those high-profile dramas, including the upcoming This Is Us, Timeless and Taken, come from outside studios (including co-productions with Uni TV). Igbokwe is likely being tasked with increasing Universal TV’s drama output on NBC, which is very lucrative in the international marketplace.

Culled from Deadline