Buccieri leaves ITV Studios for A+E

Paul Buccieri is exiting ITV Studios America in order to become president of the A&E and History networks in the US.

He is currently the chairman of ITV Studios US Group and ITV Studios Global Entertainment, but will move to A+E Networks to work under CEO Nancy Dubuc in the new year.

He will oversee all content creation, programming, brand development and marketing for the networks, whose former general managers Dirk Hoogstra (History) and David McKillop will now report into him.

An ITV spokesman confirmed his exit, but noted he would remain with the company as a successor was found.

“In the meantime Kevin Lygo, MD of ITV Studios, will continue to oversee the ITV US group and will be spending more time in America as we build on our success in the US market over the last few years and continue to grow and strengthen the business creatively and commercially,” added the spokesman. “We wish Paul all the best on his new role and look forward to working with him when he arrives at A&E.”

Buccieri is credited with overseeing ITVS’s startling push into the US, which has seen it become the largest unscripted producer in the territory by scale following a series of acquisitions.

These saw prodcos such as Leftfield Entertainment and High Noon Entertainment become part of the ITVS US stable. He was also head of international sales arm ITVSGE as chairman.

One of the acquired prodcos, Thinkfactory Media, produced History’s big scripted hit Hatfields & McCoys, while another, Gurney Productions, is behind A&E’s unscripted smash Duck Dynasty.

Before joining ITVS America in 2007 as CEO and president, Buccieri was president of programming, production and development at Fox-owned Twentieth Television. Before that he was an executive producer working under a three-year pact at Endemol USA.

His move to A+E comes just days after the Hearst Corp and Walt Disney Company joint venture announced former CEO Abbe Raven would retire from her chairman post in February next year.

“Paul and I have a longstanding professional relationship going back to our early programming days on some of A&E’s biggest hits,” said Dubuc.

“Paul is one of those unique executives who brings both strong leadership skills and business acumen to the creative process. He is also a brilliant strategist. As the media landscape continues to evolve, Paul will be looking at the future of our powerful brands with a macro vision.”

“Nancy is a dynamic and inspiring leader who has built an exemplary management team at A+E Networks. With a combination of this team and a portfolio of incredibly strong brands, we will continue to attract the best creative talent,” said Buccieri. “I want to thank ITV for an incredible seven year journey. I could not be more appreciative of all the wonderful people I’ve worked with during my time there.”