Netflix taps second Universal exec

MIPCOM: Netflix has appointed a former VP of drama development at Universal Television to work across its programme acquisitions.

Stacey Silverman

Stacey Silverman, who joined Universal in 2014 to work on its development slate, has been named director of content acquisitions at the US-based streamer and is in Cannes this week.

Her credits include NBC’s crime series Shades of Blue, starring Jennifer Lopez and Ray Liotta, which has been extended into a third season.

Silverman, who previously worked at US prodco Alloy Entertainment, will join former Universal colleague Bela Bajaria at Netflix.

Bajaria was previously Universal’s president of TV and joined Netflix last year to replace VP of global television Sean Carey, who left for Asian SVoD service Iflix. Carey now leads Iflix’s team focused on TV and film licensing from US studios as well as coproductions with US networks.

Bajaria left her role at Universal in June 2016 having been one of NBC chairman Bob Greenblatt’s first major executive hires, joining from CBS TV Studios in 2011.

Universal’s productions were down from 12 in 2015 to just seven for the 2016 season, a decline that ultimately led to Bajaria’s exit. Her position at Netflix is separate from VP of original content Cindy Holland’s department.

Netflix, which hiked its prices recently, is in the process of ramping up its originals offering and plans to spend US$6bn on programming this year alone.

It has recently ordered its first originals in countries such as China, Turkey and Sweden, and is aiming to make original programming account for half of its offering within the next 18 months – a move driven by third-party providers such as Disney pulling their content from the service.

Netflix had not responded at press time when asked for confirmation of Silverman’s appointment.