Ex-NBCU TV chief to lead Primary Wave

Former NBCUniversal Television chairman Jeff Gaspin has signed on as president of US indie producer Primary Wave Entertainment.

As part of the deal, Primary Wave has acquired Gaspin Media, which is behind series such as A&E’s Fit to Fat to Fit and ABC’s To Tell the Truth.

Gaspin had overseen the NBCU Television Entertainment business, including broadcast networks NBC and Telemundo, before General Electric sold up to Comcast in 2010. Current incumbent Bob Greenblatt succeeded him.

Gaspin was known during that period (2009-2010) for acquiring format rights to The Voice, shepherding Late Night with Jimmy Fallon and was among those executives who helped form the broadcaster-backed VOD service Hulu.

His new company, Primary Wave is based in LA, and produces series such as behind The CW sci-fi drama The 100 and CeeLo Green reality series The Good Life for TBS.

Gaspin will sit on the board, alongside co-CEOs and founders Lawrence Mestel and David Guillod. He joins the firm effective immediately, and will oversee the slate, plus lead expansion of original content across linear and digital platforms.

Besides launching Gaspin Media after leaving NBCU, the veteran programming exec has also launched SVOD service TAPP connecting niche personalities with super fans, and he remains chairman of that business.

New Primary Wave projects include HBO’s Kurt Cobain: Montage of Heck and AT&T Audience Network’s Loudermilk, which has Peter Farrelly and Bobby Mort attached.

The company is also involved in talent management, live entertainment, music publishing, and brand marketing. It has rights to more than 15,000 songs, and offices in LA and New York.

“Primary Wave is a talent-centered entertainment company where actors, artists, directors, writers and creative minds can do their best work,” said Guillod and Mestel in a statement. “Jeff is a skilled, innovative leader who will make a powerful impact on our business.

“As we continue to build momentum across our television and digital portfolios, it has become more important than ever to establish an effective operating structure for Primary Wave. We will continue to grow our

executive ranks with key new hires as we pursue an ambitious expansion of our original content slate.”