Former NBC Universal Television Entertainment chairman Jeff Gaspin is taking a job as VP of unscripted series at Netflix — reporting to Netflix VP of nonfiction series Brandon Riegg. It’s a bit of a reversal for the two execs: In 2010, Riegg joined NBC as vice president of alternative series & development, reporting to the heads of alternative programming there, who in turn reported to Gaspin.
It’s a return to the executive ranks for Gaspin, who most recently ran Gaspin Media as president. It was there that his output included Netflix’s “The Tinder Swindler,” as well as its “Rhythm & Flow.” His other credits included “The First Lady.”
“Jeff is such a huge talent, with so much experience across unscripted and television in general, and I couldn’t be more excited that he’s joining us,” said Riegg. “From ‘Rhythm & Flow’ to ‘Tinder Swindler,’ he’s already been part of the Netflix family and we’re looking forward to continuing working with him and learning from him in this lively world of unscripted TV.”
Gaspin’s lengthy unscripted career included serving as executive VP of programming and production at VH1, where he created the “Behind the Music” franchise. As president of Bravo, he oversaw “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy” and “Project Runway” and earlier as VP of programming and development at NBC News, he had a hand in developing “Dateline NBC.”
He served as chairman of NBC Universal Television Entertainment from 2009 through 2011, overseeing business, creative and distribution aspects of NBC Universal’s entertainment division — including the broadcast network and cable networks including USA Network, Syfy, Bravo, and Oxygen. He also led television production companies Universal Media Studios and Universal Cable Productions in that role. Other roles at NBCU included a stint as president & COO, NBC Universal Television Group.
“I feel a bit like Al Pacino in Godfather Part III: Just when I thought I was out, they pulled me back in,” said Gaspin. “I’m so thrilled to join Brandon and the unscripted team at Netflix. I was always most successful and happiest when I built or ran unscripted at VH1, Bravo and NBCU. I can’t wait to do the same at Netflix.”
Netflix’s unscripted output includes “Queer Eye,” “Love is Blind,” “Too Hot to Handle,” “Perfect Match,” “Formula 1: Drive to Survive,” “Selling Sunset” and “Squid Game: The Challenge.”
Deadline first broke the news of Gaspin’s hiring at Netflix.
