NBC News Forms Digital Publishing Unit

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In an indication of the extent to which digital publishing can empower new entrants from other parts of the media world, NBC News announced today that it is forming NBC Publishing. Based in New York, the unit is run by general manager Michael Fabiano, and they have hired Brian Perrin (who was at Rodale) as director of digital development, and Peter Costanzo (who was at F+W Media) as creative director. Fabiano reports to svp of NBC News Cheryl Gould, who is the "executive in charge" of NBC Publishing. She says in the announcement "tis business enables NBC to use video, audio, and current programming in creative new ways."

Fabiano tells us their first products will be released next month and they "have a number of others currently in production." Their goal is to publish approximately 30 titles during 2012. The focus is on e-publishing and video-enhanced ebooks, including both full-length and short-form works, based on current events, documentaries, trends, biographies, and profiles. Though the unit has been formed by NBC News, it will have a broad "ability to create works derived from other divisions of NBC Universal" and the network's archives.
There are clearly still multiple avenues for NBC Publishing to "continue to work in partnership with traditional trade publishers building on NBC News' previous collaborations." Fabiano indicates to us that, while they "have the capability to self-distribute to all the major eBook platforms" they "are currently exploring all options." (He notes their "intention is to release both enhanced and non-enhanced eBooks so our products can be available across the full spectrum of all eInk and tablet devices.") The venture's declared focus is on the digital products, but they will exploit print rights "both on our own and with select print partners when it makes sense to do so."
The venture says its welcomes outside authors and collaborators as well, saying that they "will also publish independent authors looking to create content to that taps into NBC's resources, to enhance their work and broaden their reach."
While the move may inspire similar ventures from other media companies, note that NBC is the only major network that does not already have a corporate publishing sibling. (CBS owns Simon & Schuster; Fox owns HarperCollins; ABC owns Hyperion.)