Televisa USA hires Chris Philip

Televisa has hired international TV veteran Chris Philip to run English-language production and distribution at its US division.

Philip joins from  Sierra/Engine Television, the producer/distributor that he cofounded. He will remain CEO of Engine Entertainment, which he founded before partnering with Sierra.

The deal to bring Philip to Televisa sees the Mexican media giant take first-look rights to a slate of Sierra/Engine series.

The agreement gives Televisa rights to series including pirate show Crossbones and thriller series Siberia as well as entertainment formats including Coliseum, the music talent show created with Gene Simmons.

Philip will report to Televisa USA managing director Paul Presburger who said: “We gain a first-rate executive producer and international TV executive who will provide us with access to his many pre-existing, high-profile development and distribution projects. This will allow us to become a key contributor to our parent company’s leading global distribution business.”

Philip added: “This deal adds tremendous value to both our slate and that of Televisa USA. Together, we will be an even more formidable force, with the studio putting into place all of the resources needed to attract top talent and create compelling television for the global marketplace.”

Televisa announced the news at NATPE, which is taking place in Miami this week. It is the largest producer of Spanish-language content in the world. It launched Televisa USA to increase its exposure to English-language programming.

The division’s credits include Devious Maids and Chasing Life and its current shows in development include a TV adaptation of Anne Rice’s series of erotic Sleeping Beauty novels.

Philip has in the past held senior posts at UK-based Power, NBCUniversal and Polygram.