The CW’s Betsy Slenzak named senior VP of original content at View TV Studios

Betsy Slenzak

LA-based View TV Studios has hired Betsy Slenzak, a former unscripted exec at US broadcaster The CW, as its senior VP of original content.

In the new role, Slenzak will oversee an original content slate that spans around 250 hours annually, according to View TV Studios, which is the content division of connected TV and media company View TV.

Slenzak will work across development, commissioning and production of the studio’s growing slate, which will be distributed across View TV’s owned and operated platforms as well as third-party platforms. In addition, she will oversee library acquisitions.

She arrives after previously serving as VP of unscripted programming at The CW, where she oversaw development and current production on alternative reality series, events and specials. Before that, she was VP of entertainment unscripted content at NBCUniversal Television and Streaming.

The announcement comes as View TV makes several appointments and promotions. Earlier this month, it hired Kevin Sayed as chief legal officer. Sayed is an experienced legal and corporate exec in the creator economy, and previously spent six years as general counsel and chief legal officer at MrBeast’s production company.

In addition, Simon Knight, who was formerly the CEO of View TV Studios, was elevated to CEO of View TV. Knight was formerly the CEO of Maverick TV USA before founding his own production company, Knight Vision Studios, which was subsequently acquired by View TV.

In his new capacity, Knight leads content across View TV’s linear channels and its on-demand platform Kapang, spanning originals, acquisitions and library programming. Slenzak will report to Knight.

Of Slenzak’s hire, Knight said: “Betsy brings strong creative judgement, deep experience working with producers and an understanding of what audiences and platforms need. I want her to be the person who challenges the ideas, protects the quality of the slate and works with producers to turn strong concepts into returning shows.”

Slenzak added: “View TV Studios has an opportunity to build something different: a large-scale original content business with a direct relationship between production, distribution and the audience. “I’m excited to work with Simon and the wider team, and with producers and creative talent, to build a slate of shows that can travel across platforms and markets.”