Ben Silverman is leaving to form a new venture with new-media mogul Barry Diller. Jeff Gaspin, who had been head of NBC's cable group, will now become the top television entertainment executive at NBC. The departure of Silverman after such a short stint -- even by Hollywood standards -- was not surprising. In his brief run at the network, he became almost as well known for the gossip around him as he was for the struggles of the network's lineup under him.
Silverman and Diller, who have long ties, announced they are creating a new company to "capitalize on the ever-evolving world of multimedia production and distribution, leveraging unique marketing expertise." Diller, whose company IAC/Interactive Corp. is a far-flung array of Internet properties, said in a statement that Silverman will lead the creation of a "truly integrated and truly interactive new-media production entity, a next-generation enterprise that bridges the gap between traditional television and the Internet."
Gaspin takes over the top spot with little time to have any effect on NBC's fall schedule. Silverman is going to stay at NBC through the launch of the fall slate. NBC has been struggling the last few years and is currently trailing its rivals in viewers and the key demographic of adults ages 18 to 49. In a statement Zucker said Gaspin has "the business acumen necessary to succeed in today's media environment." As for Silverman, Zucker said, "Ben brought us tremendous new thinking in this changing media age and we're grateful for that."
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