or


[07/27/09 - 06:07 AM]
Jeff Gaspin Expands Duties with Promotion to Chairman, NBC Universal Television Entertainment
He'll replace Ben Silverman, who is returning to his entrepreneurial roots to form a new venture.

[via press release from NBC]

JEFF GASPIN EXPANDS DUTIES WITH PROMOTION TO CHAIRMAN, NBC UNIVERSAL TELEVISION ENTERTAINMENT

UNIVERSAL CITY, CA - July 27, 2009 - Jeff Gaspin has been named Chairman, NBC Universal Television Entertainment, effective immediately. This move expands his role to now include oversight of NBC Entertainment and Universal Media Studios, in addition to all of his current duties. This new structure will consolidate all of the company's television 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.

Gaspin already has management responsibility for the company's portfolio of entertainment cable networks, including USA, SyFy, Bravo, Oxygen, Universal HD, Sleuth, and Chiller, as well as its interests in the A&E and History networks. In addition, Gaspin 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.

Ben Silverman, who has been Co-Chairman, NBC Entertainment and Universal Media Studios, has announced that he is returning to his entrepreneurial roots to form a new venture. 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.

These announcements were made today by Jeff Zucker, President and CEO, NBC Universal, to whom Gaspin reports.

Said Zucker: "Jeff Gaspin is an extraordinary media professional who has had an incredible record of success in his 25 years in the business. 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."

Zucker added: "Ben Silverman has many exciting things he wants to accomplish and we applaud him as he sets off on his new endeavors. Ben brought us tremendous new thinking in this changing media age, and we're grateful for that. Now, we look forward to working with him in his new venture."

"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," said Gaspin. "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."

Under the new structure, the cable and distribution executives who currently report to Gaspin will continue to do so. They include 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), Don Browne (President, Telemundo) and J.B Perrette (President, Digital and Affiliate Distribution and Content Distribution Strategy).

The cable entertainment group, which includes Bravo, Chiller, Oxygen, Syfy, Sleuth, Universal HD and the USA Network, has experienced dynamic change under Gaspin's leadership. In 2007, the group acquired Oxygen, and in 2008, sold its interest in the Sundance Channel and established the Universal Cable Productions television studio, further bolstering the company's commitment to a strong cable portfolio. Each channel broke ratings records in 2008 and revenues and profits have exhibited double-digit growth under Gaspin's watch.

Previously, Gaspin had served as President and Chief Operating Officer of the Universal Television Group since February 2007. Under Gaspin, the NBC Universal entertainment cable division posted its strongest performance ever. And with Gaspin being an early proponent of online streaming video, traffic to all of the television group's entertainment websites more than doubled. Prior to that, Gaspin served as President of NBC Universal Cable Entertainment and Cross-Network Strategy since 2004, adding digital content to his responsibilities in November 2005.

In December 2002, Gaspin was named president of Bravo, where he guided the day-to-day operation, programming, and marketing when the network was acquired by NBC. Among his accomplishments are "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy," which was Bravo's highest-rated show in its 23-year history, and "Project Runway," which continued to break ratings records for Bravo. He also brought Kathy Griffin to Bravo, where she's starred in the two-time Emmy-winning "Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List." Under Gaspin's direction in 2003, Bravo increased its subscriber base from 68 million to 80 million and more than doubled revenue and profits.

Gaspin - who had earlier worked at NBC - restarted his NBC career in March 2001 as Executive Vice President, Alternative Series, Longform, Specials and Program Strategy, where he led the network's unscripted programming division, specials, movies and mini-series. In that role, he developed the hit NBC programs "Deal or No Deal," "The Apprentice" and "Biggest Loser."

Prior to rejoining NBC, Gaspin served as Executive Vice President, Programming and Production, at VH1, where he created the acclaimed program "Behind the Music" for which he was nominated for two Emmys. Under Gaspin - who joined the channel in 1996 - VH1's ratings more than doubled and its profits increased fivefold. He was responsible for overall programming strategies, as well as program development, production, acquisition, scheduling, on-air talent, news and studio operations. Also developed under his watch were "Divas Live" and the hit series "Pop-up Video," "Rock and Roll Jeopardy," "Storytellers" and "Before They Were Rock Stars."

During his first nine years at NBC, as vice president of Programming and Development, Gaspin helped develop and launch "Dateline NBC." Prior to that, he was responsible for the expansion of the "Today" franchise to seven days. Gaspin started his career at NBC in finance, serving as Director of Financial Planning for NBC News and overseeing production finance for "Late Night with David Letterman," "Saturday Night Live" and NBC's TV stations division.

Gaspin received the GE Chairman's Overall Leadership Award for 2008 and the GE Leadership Award in the Imagination category for his work on Bravo and NBC in 2003. Gaspin also serves on the boards of the A&E Television Networks, The Paley Center for Media, the National Cable and Telecommunications Association and NBC Universal.

In addition, he was recognized with a Vision Award from Jewish Television Network in 2008 and was included in CableFAX's 2008 Power List. Gaspin was also featured in Entertainment Weekly's 2003 Power issue as a rising executive and in 1999, New York Magazine voted him one of the top most influential New Yorkers.

Gaspin holds an M.B.A. in strategic planning from the New York University Graduate School of Business Administration and a B.A. from the State University of New York at Binghamton. He currently resides in Los Angeles with his wife, Karen, their sons, Max and Ben, and their daughter, Samantha.





  [july 2009]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
   


· APPRENTICE, THE (NBC)
· BIGGEST LOSER, THE (USA)
· DATELINE NBC (NBC)
· DEAL OR NO DEAL (CNBC)
· KATHY GRIFFIN: MY LIFE ON THE D-LIST (BRAVO)
· PROJECT RUNWAY (FREEFORM)
· QUEER EYE (BRAVO)





[09/02/26 - 12:01 PM]
Top 10 Most-Watched Prime Original Films & Series for the Week of August 24
"Reacher," "Sterling Point," "Off Campus," "Ride or Die," and "The Traitors" led all original series worldwide.

[09/02/26 - 12:00 PM]
Judge Judy Gets Candid About Life and Celebrates 30 Years as a TV Icon During "Judge Judy: Unfiltered, Unforgettable," A Primetime Special Airing Tuesday, Sept. 22 on CBS
This groundbreaking special reveals how the last three decades cemented Judy Sheindlin (aka "Judge Judy") as one of television's most iconic personalities.

[09/02/26 - 11:31 AM]
"Fan Level Midnight: Devoted to The Office" Makes Its Exclusive Streaming Premiere on Peacock September 7
The six-part docuseries explores the enduring legacy, cultural impact and devoted fanbase behind the beloved series through never-before-heard stories, original interviews with cast and creatives including Kathy Bates, Seth Rogen and Andy Buckley, archival interviews and more.

[09/02/26 - 11:31 AM]
BritBox Announces "Ludwig" Christmas Special Starring David Mitchell and Sir David Suchet
Set in Yorkshire, the 60-minute Christmas episode sees John, Lucy and Henry arrive at a remote Christmas themed hotel for what should have been a much-needed escape, when a sudden blackout turns the festivities into a locked-room murder mystery.

[09/02/26 - 11:01 AM]
NBC Debuts First Look Images for "Newlyweds"
A later-in-life love story about a free-spirited woman, Jeanie (Téa Leoni), and a buttoned-up professor, James (Tim Daly), who marry impetuously after a whirlwind courtship.

[09/02/26 - 11:01 AM]
"Hell's Kitchen" Is Serving Up a Fiery New 25th Season This Fall with an Ambitious New Class of Chefs, All Under 25!
Don't miss the season premiere airing Thursday, September 24 at 8:00/7:00c on FOX and next day Hulu.

[09/02/26 - 10:31 AM]
Video: "The Widower: 'Til Death Do Us Part" - Official Trailer - Netflix
In this documentary, a journalist and a detective uncover the truth about a killer whose charm masked a trail of failed marriages and suspicious deaths.

[09/02/26 - 10:23 AM]
Video: "Marshals" Season 2 - Official Trailer - CBS
Kayce Dutton is back. "Marshals" returns for Season 2, kicking off CBS Premiere Week, Sunday, October 4.

[09/02/26 - 10:02 AM]
Shaquille O'Neal, Authentic Brands & TNT Sports' "Dunkman" to Expand in 2027, Introducing Team Competitions, Junior Division & Global Regional Qualifiers Series
The world's first professional dunk league will officially return in 2027, highlighted by an expanded slate of premium events.

[09/02/26 - 10:00 AM]
Video: Starz Releases Explosive Trailer for "S.W.A.T. Exiles"
The spin-off of the fan favorite, hit series "S.W.A.T.," raises the stakes of the legacy series, introducing a bold new era.

[09/02/26 - 09:33 AM]
"Pati Jinich Explores Panamericana" Returns For Second Season
The three-part second season continues Jinich's journey, inspired by the Pan-American Highway.

[09/02/26 - 09:31 AM]
Drew Binsky Brings His Travels to Netflix September 19
Beginning September 19, members can watch a curated collection pulled from Drew's content library, including his latest episode "Entering The World's Narrowest Island (100 Feet Wide)," with new episodes dropping day-and-date alongside Drew's channels.

[09/02/26 - 09:16 AM]
New Series "Playing with Matches" Pits Undercover Couples Against Each Other
In the upcoming unscripted series, a group of undercover couples from all walks of life will compete in the ultimate game of romantic deception.

[09/02/26 - 09:01 AM]
Nimesh Patel Makes His Netflix One-Hour Stand-Up Debut with "Buy the Dip"
In this hilarious, no-punches-pulled special, Nimesh takes aim at the absurdity of parenting, the insanity of his Indian family, and the rampant corruption in DC.

[09/02/26 - 09:01 AM]
Video: "Being Heumann" - Official Teaser - Apple TV
Judy didn't wait for change. She fought to make it happen.