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Official: Gaspin To Exit NBCU Post-Merger

By NELLIE ANDREEVA | Monday November 15, 2010 @ 4:00pm PSTTags: Comcast, Comcast-NBCU Merger, Jeff Gaspin, NBCU Management, Steve Burke NBC Universal, TV
Nellie Andreeva

Comcast is clearing the way for its pending announcement of the new NBC Universal top executive structure. Jeff Gaspin, who had felt more and more as the odd man out in Comcast’s plans for the post-merger NBCU, just sent out a note to NBC Universal employees announcing that he will depart the company following its merger with Comcast after he and new NBCU CEO Steve Burke “could not agree on an appropriate role” for him in the new company. Gaspin had 4 years left on his contract, which was breached by the merger and Burke replacing Jeff Zucker. Gaspin was furious when a report last week claimed he was gone because it wasn’t true: in fact the two men hadn’t made that decision yet even though everyone guessed that’d be the ultimate conclusion because it’s known that Burke wants to decrease the media company’s layers of management. Gaspin has spent a combined 19 years at NBCU, most recently as chairman of NBC Universal TV Entertainment. “I want to thank Jeff for his many significant contributions to NBCU and for his professionalism throughout the integration process,” Burke said in a statement. After sending the memo (text below), Gaspin gathered his senior executive team for an emotional meeting.

Even though there has been much speculation in the press I wanted you to hear directly from me.

During the course of the Comcast/GE merger, I’ve had many good conversations with Steve Burke about my role at the new NBC Universal. Under the current structure, all of the television entertainment assets including cable, broadcast, and distribution report to me.

As is his prerogative, Steve has determined that he wants to move in a different direction and given the scope of my current responsibilities, we could not agree on an appropriate role for me in the new company.  Therefore I will be departing NBC Universal a short time after the merger.

I have spent a combined 19 years at NBC Universal and have had numerous positions in finance, news, cable, and broadcast. While we have had our challenges on the entertainment broadcast side, I am proud of the progress we have made and the tremendous success of our outstanding cable assets, our strong distribution divisions and our market-leading digital innovation.  It’s with great pride and appreciation I was able to participate in many of these successful ventures.

I leave NBC Universal with an obvious sense of sadness and loss, but I’ll be forever grateful for my relationships with my colleagues and those who gave me a chance to participate in the success of this great company.  It’s been an exhilarating ride – and I thank you for sharing it with me.

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STRIKE DRAMA: IATSE Promises Its Pickets Will Face Strike-Breakers At ‘Biggest Loser’ Monday; Shame On NBC And Liz Murdoch

By NIKKI FINKE, Editor in Chief | Sunday November 14, 2010 @ 7:52am PSTTags: DGA, IATSE, IATSE The Biggest Loser, Jeff Gaspin, Labor Relations, NBC U The Biggest Loser Strike, SAG, The Biggest Loser, The Biggest Loser Labor Relations, The Biggest Loser Non-Union, The Biggest Loser Shut Down, TV

As you know, Deadline TV Editor Nellie Andreeva has been keeping you up-to-date on every development of this breaking labor story. (‘Biggest Loser’ Production To Resume On Monday With Replacements) Now here’s my opinion: NBC needs to put an immediate stop to this disgusting situation before someone gets hurt. Shame on the broadcast network for embracing a show that’s now bringing in scab workers on Monday to replace striking IATSE members. NBC can and should put its foot down after 10 seasons of airing The Biggest Loser and use its influence with Shine Group’s Reveille Productions and 25/7 Productions, and JD Roth’s and Todd Nelson’s Eyeworks-owned 3 Ball Productions, to stop the confrontation. And I’m calling on NBC Universal Television Group President/COO Jeff Gaspin to get personally involved. I’m also calling on Shine’s Elizabeth Murdoch to consider her prominence in the entertainment biz and do the right thing. Read More »

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NBC Renews ‘Days Of Our Lives’ For 2 Years

By NELLIE ANDREEVA | Monday November 8, 2010 @ 9:40am PSTTags: Daytime TV, Jeff Gaspin, NBC, TV
Nellie Andreeva

Tying the announcement to Days of Our Lives‘ 45th season celebration today, NBC announced that it has picked up the daytime drama for two more years through the 2012-13 season. “Days of our Lives remains vitally creative through the years … Read More »

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TCA: Early Launch For 2 NBC Series; NBC Brass Talk ‘Office’, Robert Greenblatt, Piers Morgan

By NELLIE ANDREEVA | Friday July 30, 2010 @ 10:40am PDTTags: Alexandra Cunningham, America's Got Talent, Jeff Gaspin, NBC, NBC Angela Bromstad, NBC Development Deals, NBC Executive Session, Outlaw, Parenthood Season 2, Parks and Recreation, Prime Suspect Pilot, Rob Lowe, Robert Greenblatt, TCA, The Office
Nellie Andreeva

At the top of NBC’s executive session, NBC Uni TV Entertainment chairman Jeff Gaspin announced that a couple of series will premiere early behind the final episodes of America’s Got Talent. The second season of Parenthood will launch on Sept. … Read More »

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