In more media non-musical chairs, the CEO of NBCUniversal has stepped down upon acknowledging that he “had an inappropriate relationship with a woman in the company., which I deeply regret.”

According to Deadline Hollywood, the woman was CNBC anchor/Senior International Correspondent Hadley Gamble.

CEO Jeff Shell, who announced his departure on Sunday, reportedly stands accused of sexual harassment and sex discrimination.

Harassment or discrimination in the workplace (or out of it, for that matter) is completely unacceptable.

The alleged timeline, however, is interesting.

“Deadline has learned that Shell had a relationship with Gamble which started about 11 years ago and continued sporadically up until a couple of years ago when it ended…The complaint was lodged within the past month, Deadline has learned.”

Gamble’s complaint prompted an investigation by an outside law firm.

Various questions suggest themselves including was the relationship consensual initially? Was there a quid pro quo? Did Shell, who is married, violate a corporate code of conduct or morals clause?

The latter question seems to have been at least partially answered.

“In their company memo about Shell’s exit, [Comcast Chairman and President Brian} Roberts and Comcast President Mike Cavanagh indicated that the former NBCU CEO had violated company policy.”

NBCUniversal is a subsidiary of Comcast.

From the Murdoch-owned New York Post (an excellent news outlet but which seems to have curiously dropped the Tucker Carlson bombshell from its homepage),

“‘One insider said that [Shell] didn’t seem like the type to be involved in a workplace fling. ‘“’He was always very respectful, and respectful of women in particular,’ said one stunned staffer. Insiders aren’t even sure how Shell and Gamble might’ve met, since she’s based in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates.”

As an aside, NBCUniversal operates the Peacock streaming service which carries On Patrol Live from the Reelz channel.

OPL episodes are available on demand for subscribers who missed the first run of any show.

For some reason, however, Peacock/Reelz still has not posted OPL episode 73, originally aired on April 14, 2023, even though Episodes 72, 74, 75, and 76 are all available for viewing.

The episode was finally posted for on-demand viewing, but with eight minutes deleted.

Added: According to multiple media accounts, Jeff Shell forfeited $40 million-plus in compensation after being fired for cause.

UPDATE: Hadley Gamble and NBCU subsequently parted ways.

From the New York Post on May 9:

A settlement between Gamble and NBCUniversal over her sex-harassment allegations against Shell was “significantly less” than $10 million — a speculative figure that recently had been circulating in media circles — but was nevertheless still “in the millions,” a source close to the situation told The Post.

“Gamble has been a distinguished journalist for more than a decade for CNBC, undertaking highly visible and challenging assignments, and developing deep expertise in the Middle East and beyond,” a network spokesperson said.

“Her initiative and drive have secured valuable interviews with several world political leaders.”

“We wish her every success in her future endeavors.”

A spokesperson for Gamble declined to comment.