Chris McCumber

As President, Entertainment Networks - USA Network & SYFY, Chris McCumber oversees strategy and daily operations for both networks, including original programming, content strategy, digital, production, research, finance, communications and marketing. Based in New York, McCumber reports to Mark Lazarus, Chairman, NBCUniversal Broadcast, Cable, Sports and News.

Prior to being named to this position in February 2016, McCumber served as President, USA Network since 2013, and Co-President (along with Jeff Wachtel) since 2011. Under his leadership, USA has remained the #1 entertainment network on cable for 13 consecutive years – the longest streak in television history – and launched top-rated and award-winning original programming including “Mr. Robot,” “The Sinner,” “Suits,” “Chrisley Knows Best,” “The Purge” and “Psych.” McCumber also helms USA’s long-term relationship with the WWE, which recently included an extension to keep WWE’s top-rated marquee program, RAW, on the network through 2024.

In June 2017, McCumber rebooted SYFY with a renewed fan-focused point of view, a new visual identity, a significant expansion into digital with SYFY WIRE, and an expanded programming filter including sci-fi, fantasy, superhero and graphic novel adaptations. The new strategy has brought new and younger viewers to the Top 20 network, along with year-over-year ratings growth.

McCumber first joined USA in 2001, as Senior Vice President, On-Air Promotion, and served as head of Marketing from 2004-2011, where he and his team created the groundbreaking brand campaign “Characters Welcome.” Before joining USA, McCumber was creative director for the media and entertainment practice at Lee Hunt Associates and Razorfish, where he led teams of strategists, creatives and technologists on brand strategy and creative solutions for television networks and broadband entertainment services. Throughout his career, he has worked with more than 100 media brands, including NBC, ABC, CBS, FOX/News Corp, Disney, HBO and Turner Networks. This included the launch and re-design of MSNBC, ESPN2, Odyssey, Disney Channel and Game Show Network.

McCumber began his career at MTV Networks as associate producer, before joining the on-air promotion team that launched Comedy Central. An accomplished commercial film director, he helmed 14 short films for NBC’s “Saturday Night Live,” entitled “Fuzzy Memories by Jack Handy.”

McCumber is a government and law graduate of Lafayette College. He currently serves on their Board of Trustees.