Gaspin Elevated To Chairman Of NBC Universal Television Entertainment
Adds Oversight of NBC Entertainment, Universal Media Studios To Duties; Silverman Exits
Mike Reynolds -- Multichannel News, 7/27/2009 10:52:24 AM
As Ben Silverman exits, Jeff Gaspin has been elevated to chairman, NBC Universal Television Entertainment, effective immediately.
In his new role, Gaspin adds oversight of NBC Entertainment and Universal Media Studios, in addition to all of his current duties, including management responsibilities for USA Network, SyFy (nee Sci Fi Channel), Bravo, Oxygen, Universal HD, Sleuth, and Chiller, as well as its interests in the A&E and History. Gaspin already oversees the company's television distribution, including linear, digital and wireless, off-net syndication and first-run efforts, as well as the Telemundo broadcast network and its owned stations. NBCU officials said the new structure will consolidate all of the company's TV entertainment assets, both broadcast and cable, English and Spanish, under one roof and will better allow the company to leverage its content across all of those properties.
Silverman, who had been co-chairman, NBC Entertainment and Universal Media Studios, will depart to start a new company with Barry Diller's IAC. Silverman sold his former shop, Reveille, when he joined NBCU in 2007. He will remain in his current role for several weeks to assist in the launch of NBC's fall schedule.
Marc Graboff, who has also been co-chairman, will continue as Chairman, NBC Entertainment and Universal Media Studios, reporting to Gaspin.
Under the new structure, the cable and distribution executives who currently report to Gaspin will continue to do so, including: Bonnie Hammer, president, NBC Universal Cable Entertainment and Universal Cable Productions; Lauren Zalaznick, president, NBC Universal Women and Lifestyle Entertainment Networks; Barry Wallach, president, NBC Universal Domestic Television Distribution; Bridget Baker, president, TV Networks Distribution, NBC Universal; Telemundo president Don Browne; and J.B Perrette, president, Digital and Affiliate Distribution and Content Distribution Strategy.
"Jeff Gaspin is an extraordinary media professional who has had an incredible record of success in his 25 years in the business," said NBCU president and CEO Jeff Zucker, to whom Gaspin reports. "He's a strong creative executive who also has the business acumen necessary to succeed in today's media environment. This new structure helps us align all of our television entertainment assets under one veteran executive at a time when continued innovation is essential."
Noted Gaspin: "I can't think of a more important time to take on this expanded role. Our industry is going through one of the most profound changes in history and I look forward to using all that I have learned to help build the NBC Universal assets through this period of unprecedented evolution. NBC remains one of the strongest brands in television and I am excited to work with the talented executives at the network and Universal Media Studios."
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