Banijay’s 51 Minds names Bunim/Murray chief to replace outgoing Christian Sarabia

Julie Pizzi

Banijay Americas has reshuffled its senior exec team again, this time with Below Deck prodco 51 Minds Entertainment president Christian Sarabia stepping down.

He will be replaced by Julie Pizzi, president of fellow Banijay-owned US producer Bunim/Murray.

Sarabia had been in the role for almost a decade and was behind shows including Marriage Or Mortgage for Netflix, VH1’s TI & Tiny: Friends & Family Hustle, as well as the Below Deck franchise for Bravo.

Pizzi will add his remit to her current responsibilities overseeing Buddy Games prodco Bunim/Murray and continues to report into Banijay Americas CEO Ben Samek.

Sarabia said: “While I will truly miss the extraordinary team that makes it such an incredibly creative and vibrant place, I look forward to building something new in my next chapter and continuing to contribute to the pop culture landscape.”

Samek praised Sarabia’s tenure and described Pizzi as “one of the most successful and prolific executives in the industry and a powerful storyteller.”

Samek took up the position in February, with Abrego retaining his role of chairman although his future within the group has been the subject of speculation.

Abrego had led Banijay’s operations across the Americas since 2020, following the French group’s acquisition of Endemol Shine Group earlier that year.

Banijay Americas houses all production labels across the North and South America, including: US-based Endemol Shine North America, Bunim/Murray Productions, Authentic Entertainment, Truly Original, 51 Minds Entertainment, Stephen David Entertainment and YellowBird US; Mexico-based Endemol Shine Boomdog and Banijay Mexico & US Hispanic; and Brazil-based duo A Fábrica and Endemol Shine Brasil.