Comcast’s upcoming cable network spinoff, tentatively dubbed “SpinCo,” has named Jordan Fasbender as its chief counsel, completing the senior management lineup for the soon-to-be independent company. Mark Lazarus, former NBCUniversal Media Group chairman and prospective CEO of the new entity, announced the hire in a memo to employees obtained by Deadline, a seasoned legal expert from iHeartMedia and 21st Century Fox, joins as Comcast aims to finalize the spinoff by year’s end, separating most of NBCU’s cable portfolio—excluding Bravo—into a standalone, publicly traded firm.
With this, Comcast completes the new leadership team to lead its cable TV networks once they spin off into a new company still controlled by Comcast. This all comes as Comcast’s CEO says he wants to focus only on things that help Peacock, and according to Brian Roberts, these networks do not.
In his memo, Lazarus praised Fasbender’s expertise, writing, “As we continue to build our team and position ourselves to become a stand-alone publicly traded company, we are fortunate to rely on Jordan’s experience and advice on a wide variety of matters from the spin itself to the business affairs of evolving media assets.” Fasbender steps into the role after serving as EVP, Chief Legal Officer, and Secretary at iHeartMedia since 2019, where she oversaw legal, regulatory, and business affairs for the U.S.’s largest audio company. Before that, she was SVP and Associate General Counsel at 21st Century Fox, guiding the company through Disney’s $71.3 billion acquisition and the subsequent Fox Corp spinoff—a resume that aligns perfectly with SpinCo’s complex transition.
The spinoff, first detailed by Comcast CEO Brian Roberts last year, will see networks like USA, E!, Syfy, and Oxygen break away, leaving NBC, Telemundo, and local stations with Comcast. Last week, Deadline reported that SpinCo is nearing a final name and scouting New York City office space, with the separation process now in its final stretch. Unlike a full regulatory review, the spin hinges on SEC compliance and financial structuring, distributing ownership to Comcast shareholders. Lazarus’s team, including recently hired CFO/COO Anand Kini, CFO Kristin Newkirk, and entertainment president Val Boreland, is tasked with navigating these hurdles, with Fasbender’s legal acumen rounding out the leadership.
Fasbender’s track record—spanning corporate governance, M&A, and digital strategy at iHeartMedia and Fox—positions her as a key player in SpinCo’s launch. Her arrival, set for late April, follows her pivotal role in Fox’s high-stakes Disney deal, experience Lazarus called “invaluable” in the memo. As SpinCo prepares to go public, industry watchers see this as Comcast’s bold bet to streamline its portfolio amid a shifting media landscape, with Fasbender’s hire signaling a focus on agility and compliance in a post-cable era.
Please follow us on Facebook and X for more news, tips, and reviews. Need cord cutting tech support? Join our Cord Cutting Tech Support Facebook Group for help. You can follow Luke on X HERE.