COMPANY TOWN : Chairman Leaving Universal TV

The chairman of Universal Television is leaving the company, marking the first major change since media mogul Barry Diller agreed to acquire the Seagram Co. division last month.

The studio confirmed that Greg Meidel, who joined the studio as chairman of its TV operations two years ago, has been “unable to come to an agreement” with Diller and won’t join the new company forged by Universal and Diller’s Home Shopping Network named USA Networks Inc.

Meidel’s departure clouds the future of several executives he recruited to Universal, which produces such programs as NBC’s “Law & Order” and the popular syndicated series “Xena: Warrior Princess” and “Hercules, The Legendary Journeys.”

Universal agreed to sell a majority interest in its television unit to Diller a month ago, in a deal valued at $4.1 billion. Having overseen the launch of the Fox network, Diller is expected to use the studio’s holdings--including the USA cable networks--to try and build a television powerhouse.

Seagram Chief Executive Edgar Bronfman Jr. recently gave Meidel a vote of confidence, noting that the TV division generated $100 million in profit this year.

Sources say Meidel may have been reluctant to work for Diller.