"Ben has done a fantastic job. So far he's exceeded all of our expectations and the financial targets that we've set," said his boss, NBC Universal Chief Executive Jeff Zucker. "We're talking about him being with us for a long time to come."
When Silverman joined NBC, one of his first actions was to reschedule the morning staff meeting to a later hour, 2:45 p.m. He often parties into the night and rolls into the office after 11 a.m., according to several colleagues who asked for anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue.
Silverman rejected criticism that he has not been engaged in the job. He is always working his BlackBerry. As for his casual office hours, he responded: "My work ethic is exemplary."
He said that he sought an unusually short, 24-month contract -- three- to five-year deals are typical -- because it would give him greater leverage in renewing if he was successful. He thought he would fix the peacock's broken wings within two years -- a remarkably short span given the holes in the program schedule.
"I am enjoying the job and I love NBC Universal," Silverman said. "I'm doing this because I'm really excited by the opportunity to transform our business model and reinvent how we finance our entertainment."
NBC has spent the last several weeks tamping speculation, and Internet brush fires, that Silverman was on his way out. Although he and NBC have had preliminary discussions about extending his contract, both sides are waiting to see how the new season unfolds before negotiating further.
Zucker said that Silverman deserved a share of the credit for helping NBC exceed expectations by selling $1.9 billion in prime-time advertising for the coming TV season. Among his initiatives: Reviving the 1980s NBC camp hit "Knight Rider," which starred a Pontiac muscle car. Now the car is a Ford -- and Ford is a sponsor.
"The shows that we have for this season are more commercial than any programs that we've had in the past four years," Zucker said.
Silverman has not been preoccupied by the traditional network pursuit of searching for the next hot writer such as Aaron Sorkin, who created sophisticated and pricey shows such as "Sports Night" and "West Wing." Instead, he has pursued A-list talent but also less costly fare, such as the weight-loss contest show "The Biggest Loser," which he produced for NBC. The series may not win an Emmy, but it contained a whopping 4,364 product placements during the first half of this year, according to Nielsen Co.
