Ex-Eyeworks, Shine exec joins Lionsgate

Former Eyeworks and Shine International sales exec Ted Bookstaver has joined US studio Lionsgate Television.

He will take up the newly-created post of senior VP, alternative programming sales.

In the role, he will oversee global sales of Lionsgate’s slate of alternative (unscripted) shows.

Lionsgate’s executive VP, alternative programming Jennifer O’Connell, who joined last year after exiting Core Media Group, said he was “ideally qualified to extend the rapid growth” of the studio’s unscripted programming slate.

Bookstaver joins from Dick Clark Productions, which he had only joined months ago as VP, international distribution. Before that, he was SVP and head of Americas for Shine International, which ceased to exist after Shine Group merged with Endemol and Core.

He is also known for overseeing global sales efforts at Eyeworks International Distribution, which was subsumed into Warner Bros. International Television after Warner Bros. bought Eyeworks Group. Bookstaver also spent eight years at CBS/King World Productions, where he sold Wheel of Fortune, Jeopardy!, Hollywood Squares and The Oprah Winfrey Show.

The hire comes Lionsgate promoted Agapy Kapouranis to the post of executive VP, global SVOD; and hired Entertainment One Television’s Charlotte Thorp as senior VP and head of television sales, Europe.

“With our third key appointment in the past four weeks, we’re continuing to bolster an international television distribution team that is well positioned to respond to developments in a fast-changing global marketplace,” said Lionsgate president of worldwide television and digital distribution Jim Packer.

“Ted has the knowledge, vision and relationships to leverage our growing slate of alternative programming across the full spectrum of broadcast, cable, SVOD and digital buyers around the world.”

Lionsgate’s unscripted division began life several years ago under VP Brian Tannenbaum. Last year, it bought a majority stake in Craig Piligian’s Pilgrim Media Group, which brought the slate to around 50 shows such as Monica the Medium on Freeform, Hellevator on GSN, and Oxygen’s upcoming Douglas Family Gold.