Studio71 hires unscripted head

ProSiebenSat.1-owned Studio71 has hired a former Ryan Seacrest Production exec as its president of unscripted television.

Rabih Gholam

In the newly created role, Rabih Gholam will build Studio71’s TV business and develop opportunities and intellectual property for its YouTube and social media influencers. He will report to Studio71 board member Michael Green.

The firm was recently rebranded from Collective Digital Studios six months after the merger between the US-based MCN and Germany’s Studio71 network.

Gholam was exec VP, head of unscripted programming at LA-based Ryan Seacrest Productions before stepping down at the end of last year. Prior to that he was at Endemol-backed 51 Minds.

“More than ever before, we are seeing a clear merger between digital and traditional linear television,” said Gholam. “Studio71 represents many of the top influencers in the digital space across YouTube, Vine, Instagram and Snapchat.

“To me, it’s one big casting call, and I’ve been charged with developing the right projects and formats for them, whether those projects live on TV or one of today’s many digital platforms.”