Hammer Reups With NBC Universal
Multiyear Pact Adds Oversight Of Cable Studio, Emerging Networks To USA, Sci Leadership
By Mike Reynolds -- Multichannel News, 3/24/2008 12:57:00 PM
NBC Universal has elevated Bonnie Hammer to president, Cable Entertainment and Cable Studio.
Under a new multiyear deal, Hammer, who had been president of cable’s currently top-ranked USA Network and Sci FI Channel since May 2004, adds executive responsibility for the newly formed NBC Universal Cable Studio -- formerly part of Universal Media Studios -- and NBCU’s Emerging Networks group. Hammer had served as president, USA Network and Sci Fi Channel, since May 2004.
Hammer continues to report to Jeff Gaspin, president and COO, Universal Television Group.
In her new role, Hammer will oversee NBC Universal Cable Studio, which is responsible for critically acclaimed shows including USA’s Monk, Psych, The Starter Wife and In Plain Sight, and Sci Fi’s Battlestar Galactica and Eureka. Hammer also will identify and develop new scripted programs for the company’s cable group and for external cable channels. Universal Media Studios senior vice president Richard Rothstein now reports to Hammer.
Hammer will also oversee NBC Universal’s Emerging Networks group, comprising Chiller, Sleuth and Universal HD, which is led by Dan Harrison.
Further, Hammer will serve on the boards of A&E Networks, Shop NBC and Sundance Channel, which is reportedly on the selling block.
Her ascension, six days after Sci Fi held its upfront and two days before USA conducts its presentation in New York, definitively divides production responsibilities between the cable and broadcast sides of NBCU. She and Rothstein are now charged with keeping the cable hits coming.
For its part, Universal Media Studios, the former NBC Universal TV Studio, will concentrate on developing series for NBC. Katherine Pope continues in her role as president of Universal Media, reporting to NBC Entertainment and Universal Media, Ben Silverman and Marc Graboff.
The new contract for Hammer, terms of which were not disclosed, also comes after other leaders at NBCU Cable added responsibilities over the past year or so. When Jeff Zucker succeeded Bob Wright as NBCU CEO early last year, he quickly expanded Gaspin’s purview to include distribution, as well as content across multiple platforms. Last summer, Gaspin was appointed head of Universal Television Group, adding oversight of the Telemundo network, its 16 owned-and-operated TV stations and the company's domestic first-run and off-network syndication efforts to his cable watch.
When NBCU finalized its acquisition of Oxygen in November, Bravo boss Lauren Zalaznick gained oversight for the women’s-targeted service.
Then in January, Dave Howe was promoted from executive vice president-general manager of Sci Fi to president, even though Hammer retained the same title at that network.
“Bonnie is one of the most talented executives in the industry, with an amazing track record of success,” said Gaspin in a statement. “I am excited that she’ll be able to put her exceptional branding, programming and leadership skills toward an expanded portfolio of cable assets.”
Noted Hammer: “I’m thrilled to re-up at NBCU, where I’ve got, from my point of view, the best job in the business. It’s an exciting new opportunity not only to manage creative assets from concept through development to final product, but also to help realize the enormous potential of the Emerging Networks group. And as a bonus, I get to continue working with the two great teams at USA and Sci Fi, as well as all my friends and colleagues at NBCU.”
Hammer had served as president of Sci Fi since April 2001, adding responsibility for USA Network in May 2004. She led USA Network’s groundbreaking “Characters Welcome” branding initiative and directed cable entertainment’s first foray into the digital social networking space with ShowUsYourCharacter.com.
Recent successes at Sci Fi include the miniseries “Tin Man,” which was the most-watched event in the channel’s 15-year history.
In 2007, Hammer was honored with NATPE’s Brandon Tartikoff Legacy Award, and was also inducted into Broadcasting & Cable’s Hall of Fame.
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