Philip Segal is to leave FremantleMedia North America-owned Original Productions this spring. Segal will exit his CEO post at the end of his current contract, with Original COO and executive VP of business affairs Ernie Avila and EVP of development and programming Sarah Whalen taking over in the interim. Original sits alongside unscripted prodcos such […]
Craig Cegielski and Jennifer Mullin have been named co-CEOs of FremantleMedia North America to replace current incumbent Thom Beers (pictured left). Cegielski (right) is currently executive VP, scripted programming and Mullin (below, left) EVP of current programming. They will step up when Beers exits upon the end of his contract this summer, both reporting to […]
FremantleMedia North America’s upcoming game show network Buzzr TV has a general manager. Ron Garfield has been hired as executive VP and GM to oversee the digital multicast network, which launches in 17 markets in the US this summer. It will have a portfolio of more than 40,000 hours of game shows from the FMNA […]
FremantleMedia North America executives Lee Rierson and David Luner are exiting the business, TBI has confirmed. COO Rierson (pictured) has decided against renewing his contract, while president of brand partnerships and franchise management David Luner is joining Lionsgate as executive VP, worldwide TV marketing in January. Rierson, who joined FremantleMedia’s US and Canada arm from […]
Starz is working with FremantleMedia North America to adapt Neil Gaiman’s urban fantasy novel American Gods for television. US premium cable channel Starz has tapped Bryan Fuller (Hannibal, Pushing Daisies) to pen the pilot script and Michael Green (The River). The pair will executive produce along with author Gaiman and FMNA’s Thom Beers, Craig Cegielski […]
FremantleMedia has acquired a 75% stake in Jersey Shore producer 495 Productions. The deal hands the production and distribution giant the option to acquire the remaining 495 shares in the future. Founded in 2006 by SallyAnn Salsana, 495 is best known for creating reality hit Jersey Shore (pictured) for MTV, which was the network’s highest […]
The US division of FremantleMedia has recruited former BBC Entertainment exec Sean Hancock as its new VP, alternative programming. At FremantleMedia North America Hancock will develop and produce reality competition, gameshow and other unscripted content, reporting to the company’s recently appointed executive VP of alternative programming, Toby Gorman. As commissioning editor at the BBC, Hancock […]
A new pop culture quiz show from Friends star Courteney Cox and her actor husband David Arquette has sold to Tribune Broadcasting stations covering 40% of the US. Celebrity Name Game, which was developed by the couple’s Coquette Productions and showrunner Scott St. John, will air on channels such as WPIX in New York, KTLA […]
US cable channel A&E has put a US version of French drama The Returned (Les Revenants) into development with FremantleMedia North America. The original series will be a coproduction between A+E Studios and FMNA in association with France’s Haut et Court TV and will rework the French series from Fabrice Gobert that was also produced […]
FremantleMedia North America has promoted its executive VP of digital and licensing to a new role overseeing the firm’s ancillary businesses. David Luner is now executive VP, brand partnerships and franchise management, reporting into FMNA CEO Thom Beers. Luner’s new role will have him overseeing digital, integrated marketing and brand partnerships, licensing, live events, and […]
