The Ben SIlverman experiment is finally over at NBC Universal.
Silverman is leaving the conglomerate and is partnering with old pal Barry Diller to form a new company, headed by Silverman, "to capitalize on the ever-evolving world of multimedia production and distribution," according to a release from Diller's IAC.
Jeff Gaspin (below) has been named Chairman, NBC Universal Television Entertainment, effective immediately. Silverman had been Co-Chairman, NBC Entertainment and Universal Media Studios. Marc Graboff will now inherit that role as sole Chairman.
Silverman's friend, multimedia maven Ryan Seacrest, broke the news of Silverman's new gig at around 5:54 a.m. Monday via Twitter.
Silverman's departure ends two years of drama and overall bad vibes at the fourth-place network. With Gaspin getting promoted -- and Silverman gone -- the thinking is that there will be a more professional and stable atmosphere which would help any kind of turnaround.
Asked what his legacy will be, Silverman told TheWrap, "This fall will be my judgment."
Indeed, the upcoming season sees a major shift in the TV landscape, as "The Jay Leno Show" is stripped across five days during primetime.
During Silverman's tenure, there have been no new breakout shows and an unusually high number of high profile bombs like "My Own Worst Enemy," and "Knight Rider." Silverman fared better with reality shows "The Biggest Loser" and "America's Got Talent" expanding their success under his reign.
Diller told TheWrap, "I had always thought Ben Silverman was wrong for the NBC job -- he's such a natural entrepreuner, such a natural productive selling force that I'm sure this is the right confirguration for him."
IAC said it will provide seed money for the new company but that the new venture will ultimately not be part of IAC's financial results. It plans to bring on new investors, including, perhaps, NBC Universal.
Diller and Silverman (at right) have had a long relationship ever since Silverman's powerful production company, Reveille, was originally set up at Diller's USA Entertainment.
With Gaspin, NBC U President & CEO Jeff Zucker is putting one of his most trusted aides in a critical position. Zucker has said that Gaspin's low-key operating style -- relative to the omnipresent Silverman -- has been a major plus. (Gaspin talks to TheWrap; see accompanying story.)
Gaspin already has responsibility for the company's cable properties, including Syfy, USA, Bravo and Oxygen. He also oversees the company's distribution efforts.
Silverman will, according to NBC U, remain on board for several weeks in order to assist the launch of the network's fall schedule. Zucker told TheWrap that Diller had approached Silverman several weeks ago.
The NBC U announcements were made by Zucker, to whom Gaspin will report.
"There's no question that the broadcast model is under strain," Zucker told TheWrap. "Ratings create a perception, but that's not the only way to judge things. Jeff brings a whole different way of thinking, from his years in cable and spanish televsion."
