NBC Universal will definitely be making changes at the top when Comcast assumes majority ownership from General Electric. Along with the exit of CEO Jeff Zucker, the other Jeff, NBCU Television Entertainment Chairman Jeff Gaspin, has confirmed that he will clear out his desk when the ownership changes.
Other than Steve Burke’s new role as CEO of NBCU, Comcast has not yet disclosed its flow chart for the top positions once it takes over. Gaspin told staffers in an email Monday that he is not going to be part of that management structure, despite “many good conversations” with Burke.
“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,” Gaspin said.
In his current position all of the television entertainment assets including cable, broadcast, and distribution report to Gaspin. Whether any single person oversees all of those assets in the new structure will be up to Burke.
Gaspin has been at NBCU for 19 years in various positions. He was named Chairman, NBC Universal Television Entertainment, in July 2009.
“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,” Gaspin told staffers.
