• by Fern Siegel , March 26, 2008

Noting the critical importance of cable, and hoping to keep a key executive happy, NBC Universal named Bonnie Hammer president, cable entertainment and cable studio. Hammer had served as president, USA Network and Sci Fi Channel, since May 2004. She will continue to oversee these networks, reporting to Jeff Gaspin, president and COO, Universal Television Group, and Jeff Zucker, president and CEO, NBC Universal.

Under Hammer's leadership, USA Network and Sci Fi Channel have performed exceptionally well. USA Network was the No. 1 basic cable network for the second year in a row in 2007. Sci Fi finished the year as the sixth-ranked basic cable network and had its best year yet among 18-34s.

Hammer will now oversee NBC Universal Cable Studio, which is responsible for hit USA shows such as "Monk," "Psych" and "The Starter Wife," as well as Sci Fi's "Battlestar Galactica" and "Eureka." In addition to developing new scripted shows for the cable group, she will oversee NBC Universal's successful Emerging Networks, which includes Chiller, Sleuth and Universal HD.

"Bonnie's achievements with USA and Sci Fi have been spectacular," said Zucker. "She's a multitalented executive who knows how to run a network, program it successfully, and inspire a team."

Said Hammer: "It's an exciting new opportunity not only to manage creative assets from concept through development to final product, but also to help realize the enormous potential of the Emerging Networks group."

Hammer led USA Network's "Characters Welcome" branding initiative and directed cable entertainment's first foray into the digital social networking space with ShowUsYourCharacter.com.

Before joining Universal Television, Hammer was an original programming executive at Lifetime, producing several award-winning documentaries. Prior to this, she executive-produced "Good Day!" for WCVB in Boston, and produced the series "This Old House," "Infinity Factory" and "Zoom" for PBS.