Marc Graboff leaves Core as Endemol merger moves closer

Marc Graboff

Marc Graboff, the former NBC programming boss, is leaving Core Media Group. His departure is being seen as a clear sign that the Core-Endemol-Shine merger is moving ahead, with Endemol North America bosses Cris Abrego and Charlie Corwin taking over Graboff’s responsibilities.

In May 21st Century Fox said it plans to create a joint venture with Apollo Global Management that would house a combined group of Endemol, Shine and Core Media.

Core owns the Idols franchise and the mooted merger of it with Endemol and Shine will create the largest production and distribution group in global TV, comprises about 90 companies in 30 territories, including Tiger Aspect, Remarkable Television, Initial and Endemol USA, and owning IPincluding Big Brother, Deal or No Deal, Masterchef and the aforementioned Idols.

Deadline broke the Graboff news yesterday. The former NBC exec’s senior management team are also understood to be departing. Graboff will stay with Core to finalise deals already in motion before leaving ‘to pursue new opportunities’.