New NBC Chair Says He Has Answers

New chairman of NBC Universal Television Entertainment Jeff Gaspin recently told Newsweek that he has ideas on how to cure the network's low fourth place ratings.

"I'd like to see NBC brand itself and have a focus," he said.

On Monday, the network announced that Gaspin will be replacing Ben Silverman, who now plans to collaborate with Internet master Barry Diller on a project. After two years at NBC, Silverman could not revive the struggling network. NBC will most likely end a fifth straight season in the bottom spot.

Gaspin has worked with the network's cable channels, such as MSNBC, USA and Bravo. He was also behind the successes of VH1's "Behind the Music" and Bravo's "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy."

"We have a big launch with Jay Leno in the fall and obviously the rest of the fall schedule, too," he told Newsweek.

It has been talked about among television viewers that the line between cable and regular TV is coming closer together. Gaspin, who will continue to oversee the network's cable channels, told the New York Times that cable is more profitable than broadcast TV because it has a better business model.

Gaspin told Newsweek that it is important to have a brand and a focus because they help those at the network to be sure of the company's mission and goals.