Robert Greenblatt is stepping down as chairman of NBC Entertainment. “As much as I’d like him to stay – he is ready to embark on a new challenge,” said NBCU president and CEO Steve Burke in a memo to staff. Greenblatt’s replacements keep it all in the Comcast family: George Cheeks and Paul Telegdy will serve as co-chairmen. Cheeks was most recently co-president, Universal Cable Productions and Wilshire Studios and president, late night programming, while Telegdy was president, alternative and reality group, NBC Entertainment. “Having worked closely with George and Paul for years, I’m very confident that their creative instincts, talent relationships and business skills make them the perfect partners for the job,” said Burke. “Both executives are beloved by their teams and extremely well-respected by the entire industry.”

Greenblatt, who will consult with his successors, said in his own note to staff that his decision to step down after eight years with NBC came “with very mixed feelings.” He offered high praise for network management, including Cheeks and Telegdy, “two of the most talented people I’ve ever worked with.”