Seen on the Screen with Jacqueline Coley
From TV Enthusiast to TV Trailblazer with Pearlena Igbokwe
January 15, 2025 · 29 min
Why listen
The Chairman of Universal Studio Group traces her path from TV-watching immigrant child to running 100+ series across 25+ platforms.
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In this episode
- How culturally significant shows like Soul Food and The Equalizer get made
- What it takes to match the right story to the right platform
- Why representation in television shapes culture beyond the screen
- How one executive oversees four studios producing for 25+ platforms at once
About this episode
Like film, television has the power to connect audiences and shape culture. Jacqueline Coley sits down with Pearlena Igbokwe, Chairman of Universal Studio Group, to explore her extraordinary journey from discovering American culture through television as a child to becoming one of today’s leading voices in the industry. For the first time on “Seen on the Screen,” television takes center stage as Pearlena shares her experience developing culturally significant shows like Soul Food, Dexter, and The Equalizer. As a champion of ambitious storytellers, she discusses her pivotal role in bringing groundbreaking stories to life for platforms like NBC, Peacock, and Netflix.Overseeing NBCUniversal’s four TV studios—which collectively produce 100+ series across 25+ platforms—Pearlena offers a unique perspective on television’s impact, the importance of representation, and the art of pairing stories with the right platforms.
About Seen on the Screen with Jacqueline Coley
A podcast series hosted by Jacqueline Coley, Awards Editor at Rotten Tomatoes. Claim your ticket to witness the personal narratives happening behind the scenes of film and entertainment. Each episode invites you into intimate conversations with filmmakers, actors and industry insiders.
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