Starz int’l programming chief Jeff Cooke to exit

Gaslit

Starz’s international programming chief Jeff Cooke is exiting the Lionsgate-owned company later this year.

Cooke will remain in the role until July, but his next move is currently unknown. The international division oversees streamer Lionsgate+, home to original series such as Gaslit.

The exec was promoted to SVP of programming for international networks in Janaury 2022, having joined Starz as VP of international programming in 2018. Before that he was with parent company Lionsgate as VP of global digital.

This latest senior departure at Starz follows the exit of former colleagues such as Superna Kalle, Starz’s president of international networks, with Darren Nielson promoted to replace her. Marc Lorber, SVP of international TV co-productions and acquisitions at Lionsgate, also exited the company around the same time, after almost a decade.

In February, CFO Jimmy Barge revealed that Lionsgate had “quietly reduced” its workforce by around 150 full-time employees, via restructurings and managing open positions.

Efforts to cut costs come as Lionsgate continues to seek to spin-off or sell Starz, which is currently expected to happen by September 2023.

News of Cooke’s departure was first reported by Deadline.