NBCU CEO Jeff Zucker, Marc Graboff and Ben Silverman are taking part in a conference call to discuss the new co-chairmen arrangement announcement this afternoon and its various ripple effects. I got in a couple of early questions about the change in digital strategy. Here’s the gist:
— Zucker sees Silverman as a leader in creating digital extensions of the TV experience. Given his various efforts along those lines, Silverman will play an integral role going forward. Zucker: “He fully knows that there aren’t just extra bells and whistles; they’re really integral to fully monetizing all of those television assets now and well into to the future.”
— Silverman calls this the “first structure” in which you can tap into the head of what broadcast television can do and then build the tail that you can monetize online. Silverman: “That’s where the industry’s moving and it’s incredible what digital has done to enable the next phase of media. We are in the most robust industry in the world and our challenge is to figure out how to steer the ship. I can’t wait to be part of that.”
— Graboff said the new structure recognizes our digital media efforts are not separate from but integral with our whole programming model from the get-go. Graboff: “We want to make sure nbc.com is a fully integrated partner with our studio and out our network in every aspect of it. That’s what Ben and I are going to try and foster.”
— As I reported earlier, Vivi Zigler continues to report to Jeff Gaspin but now will dual report to Graboff/Silverman. Zucker said Gaspin will continue to play a role on the distribution side and with windowing. Zucker: “As you know, the windowing of programming is one of the single most important things in today’s media environment and when and how you release programs both on-air and online and through home video and through program sales is the backbone of the financial model … He will continue to play a role on the distribution side of NBC.com but given Ben’s background it will also report into Ben and Marc.” Zucker praised Zigler for her work with NBC.com.
— Silverman said Reveille’s existing digital media agreements will continue. He will no longer get any benefit from anything new that comes from Reveille. Silverman: “Reveille will continue to have those relationships on the broadcast and cable side with NBC and its properties and in the digital space with MSN.”
Timing: The change at the programming top comes two weeks after NBC unveiled its prime-time slate and fall schedule during the upfront. Zucker said the timing had to do Silverman’s availability and should not be seen as a reflection on either of those events. Zucker said Silverman told him about 10 days ago that he was considering a change and he then pursued him for a job with NBCU (NYSE: GE).
{"source":"https:\/\/gigaom.com\/2007\/05\/29\/419-nbcu-exec-change-means-shift-in-digital-strategy-silverman-graboff-zuck\/wijax\/49e8740702c6da9341d50357217fb629","varname":"wijax_6e2483e8d11983137e10b3313130def6","title_element":"header","title_class":"widget-title","title_before":"%3Cheader%20class%3D%22widget-title%22%3E","title_after":"%3C%2Fheader%3E"}