Silverman leaves NBC

Ben Silverman lasted at the network for two years - and he was often the center of controversy. Poor ratings didn't help. He'll be leaving his post as co-chairman of NBC Universal Entertainment to start up a new venture in partnership with Barry Diller's IAC. As part of the announcement, NBC said that Jeff Gaspin, who has headed the company's cable operations, will run the entertainment division. From the NYT:

Mr. Silverman's two-year contract with NBC expired this summer. The president of NBCU, Jeff Zucker, had said in interviews that Mr. Silverman would be staying on for some unspecified period. That was expected to be at least until the start of the new year. Mr. Silverman said on Monday that leaving now allows the next lineup of NBC shows to be created entirely under Mr. Gaspin's supervision.