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NBCU Unveils New Division Focusing on New Media

Apr 18, 2006  •  Post A Comment

NBC Universal said Tuesday that it has formed a new business unit within the media giant to focus on new business opportunities in digital media, and tapped Darren Feher, the company’s chief technology officer, to run the group.

Called the technology growth center, the new division will coordinate NBCU’s approach to technology across the company’s various distribution channels.

The division is split into four units, one focusing on building and launching new technology; another that deals with technology strategy and standards; a third that will work with universities and NBCU parent General Electric’s global research center to identify new technologies; and a fourth division responsible for thwarting piracy.

Mr. Feher, who is executive VP in addition to CTO, will report to John Eck, president and chief information officer of Media Works, NBCU’s technology and operations division.

The group, which had existed for a few months before its official unveiling Tuesday, has already developed a technology that enables NBCU to deliver its television shows digitally to Apple Computer’s iTunes Music Store, eliminating the need to send the material to Apple on digital beta tapes.

The TGC has also launched several interactive television projects, including a service that enabled DirecTV, EchoStar and Time Warner Cable subscribers to access medal counts, athlete biographies and news during broadcasts of the Winter Olympics in February. More recently, the TGC has facilitated online voting in several NBC shows, including “Deal or No Deal.”