LOS ANGELES, Sept. 29, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Respected
television executive Rachel Bendavid
has been named Head of Scripted Programming for the Lionsgate and
BBC Studios Los Angeles partnership. The partnership was formed to
identify, co-develop and co-fund scripted formats and original
intellectual property for the U.S. market.
Bendavid is responsible for overseeing the operations and
content initiatives of the television partnership as well as
shepherding the development and production of its programming
slate. Within a year of its launch, the partnership has already
received pilot orders for its U.S. adaptations of hit BBC series
from FOX for "This Country" and CBS for "Ghosts."
"I'm thrilled to be joining the Lionsgate and BBC Studios LA
family and to be working with global content leaders from both
sides of the pond," said Bendavid. "Lionsgate and BBC Studios are
homes to deep and rich content portfolios and talent relationships,
which makes this a very exciting and refreshing new venture for me.
I can't wait to continue to elevate this partnership and bring even
more great programming to television audiences."
"Rachel is an incredibly talented executive with a strong track
record and an impeccable creative eye for premium, must-see
content," said Lionsgate EVP, Television & Head of Development
Scott Herbst. "Her leadership skills, passion for television and
expert knowledge of the business will be invaluable in leading our
partnership with BBC Studios and creating more great series for our
content pipeline."
"Rachel has a real knowledge of and passion for distinct British
voices. Based on this, along with her deep experience at ABC
and FOX and her strong connections within the industry, she is well
positioned to build our scripted partnership and continue to
develop exciting opportunities for the UK creative community in the
U.S.," said Valerie Bruce, General
Manager, LA Productions, BBC Studios.
Before joining Lionsgate, Bendavid served as Vice President of
Drama Programming for ABC Entertainment where she oversaw numerous
hit shows including "Once Upon a Time" and "The Good Doctor." Prior
to that, she served as Vice President of Drama Development for FOX
where she shepherded J.J. Abrams' Emmy® nominated "Fringe" and
Golden Globe® winning series "Glee." She began her television
career at USA Network and had a
stint at Lifetime Television.
Bendavid is a graduate of Emory
University where she double majored in Art History and Film
Studies.
About Lionsgate
Combining the STARZ premium global subscription platform with
world-class motion picture and television studio operations,
Lionsgate (NYSE: LGF.A, LGF.B) brings a unique and varied portfolio
of entertainment to consumers around the world. Its film,
television, subscription and location-based entertainment
businesses are backed by a 17,000-title library and the largest
collection of film and television franchises in the independent
media space. A digital age company driven by its
entrepreneurial culture and commitment to innovation, the Lionsgate
brand is synonymous with bold, original, relatable entertainment
for the audiences it serves worldwide.
About BBC Studios
BBC Studios, a global content company with bold British
creativity at its heart, is a commercial subsidiary of the BBC.
Able to take an idea seamlessly from thought to screen and beyond,
its activities span content financing, development, production,
sales, branded services, and ancillaries across both its own
productions, and programs and formats made by high-quality UK
independents. Award-winning British programs made by the business
are internationally recognized across a broad range of genres and
specialisms, with brands like Dancing with the Stars/Strictly
Come Dancing, Top Gear, Doctor Who and Bluey. BBC
Studios has offices in 22 markets globally, including ten
production bases in the UK and production bases or partnerships in
a further nine countries around the world. The company, which
ordinarily makes around 2,500 hours of content a year for both the
BBC and third parties including Apple, Amazon and China Mobile, is
a champion for British creativity around the world. It is also a
committed partner for the UK's independent sector through a mix of
equity partnerships, content investment and international
distribution for program titles. To the BBC, BBC Studios
contributes both cash dividends and funds for program-making,
supporting the license fee and enhancing programs for UK
audiences.
In the Americas, BBC Studios - with team members across the
region - operates two production units. The primary unit in
Los Angeles is responsible for
ratings juggernaut and Emmy®-nominated Dancing with
the Stars and multi-award-winning Life Below Zero.
In Brazil, through a production
partnership with Endemol Shine, local productions Dancing
Brasil and Bake Off Brasil have become breakout hits.
The company manages joint venture relationships with AMC Networks
for flagship channel BBC AMERICA (U.S.) – home of original series
Killing Eve and global brands Seven Worlds: One Planet, Doctor Who, and Top
Gear – and with ITV for SVoD service BritBox (U.S./Canada), as well as strategic partnerships in
Canada with Blue Ant Media for
BBC Earth Channel and Corus for BBC Canada. The company also
operates a robust linear and digital content sales and
co-productions operation, as well as a franchise management
business.
For more information, please contact:
Cristina Castañeda
Lionsgate
CCastaneda@lionsgate.com
Holly Taylor
BBC Studios Los Angeles
Holly.Taylor@bbc.com
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SOURCE Lionsgate
