High-ranking NBC television executive Ben Silverman is leaving the network, according to a press release issued July 27. Silverman, who has been NBC Entertainment's co-chairman since 2007, is said to be "returning to his entrepreneurial roots to form a new venture." Jeff Gaspin has been named chairman of NBC Universal Television Entertainment, effective immediately. The New York Times reports that Silverman will remain at the network until September to ease the transition, and the Associated Press reports that mogul Barry Diller's IAC/InterActiveCorp is starting a new production company headed by Silverman.
Jul 27
2009
01:48 PM ET
Ben Silverman leaves NBC
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What does this mean for “30 Rock” and “Friday Night Lights?”
Good!
NBC may have been suffering before him. But he hasn’t done anything to bring it back to prominance.
Hopefully this new guy can help bring NBC back…
Derek- Friday Night Lights has already been renewed for two seasons on DirecTV and even if the episodes don’t air on NBC you could always rent the DVDs, and 30 Rock is now a modest hit and THE definition of a critical darling…it will be fine.
All I have to say is
nah nah nah nah…nah nah nah nah…hey hey heyyyy gooodbyeeee!
NBC is in shambles and heads should roll! unfortunately, the network is still stuck with Leno on Primetime
http://tvdonewright.com/
Jeff Zucker is the root problem.
Gotta agree with Jonathan that Zucker is the root of the problem. Silverman is smart to get out now in case the Leno experiment fails (I think/hope it will).
So what the *#)$ were the last two years about? I’m a bit Knight-Rider’d out. Kevin Reilly would’ve kept things like FNL and 30 Rock on, along with having NOT greenlighted American Gladiators and Crusoe and just maybe would have secured a few more hits by now. I mean, who DIDN’T call this a bad idea from the get go?
Things obviously haven’t gone very well for NBC lately so this isn’t surprising. But I got to ask, what does this mean for Chuck?
After almost losing the show, I’m seriously on pins and needles hoping the show does really well when it comes back for its 3rd season
Diane thanks for asking about chuck…i wanna know.
I hope Jeff Zucker follows. It’s unbelievable what’s happen to NBC since they promoted him from the head of the Today Show to head of primetime and eventually head of Universal. He may be good for daytime TV, but not for primetime. Replacing Leno with Conan may be the thing that finally get him fired
I hope Jeff Zucker follows. He’s the one that’s really ruined NBC. He may have been good for the Today Show, but he’s not good for primetime.
Bring Chuck back in the fall!
Good. I’m no Hollywood insider, but my impression of this guy is that he’s a bottom-line corporate buffoon. NBC’s new programming slate over the past couple of years has been abysmal. The one thing he did right during his time was championing Friday Night Lights. Memo to NBC: viewers will be attracted to well-made, original and (gasp!) thought-provoking content. Not silly re-makes and the umpteenth copycat crime procedural.
Well whoever is in charge now if they know what’s good for them will bring Chuck back sooner and get rid of 5 nights of Leno.
Isnt Silverman the guy that support the low rated but critic/fan loved shows? How is this gonna far for all the show rated but great shows on NBC? Im guessing they are all gonna be shown the door