Crown anoints development chief

US cablenet operator Crown Media Family Networks has appointed a Paulist Productions exec as its development chief.

Marybeth Sprows

Marybeth Sprows has been named VP of development at Crown in LA, reporting to Randy Pope, senior VP of original programming and development.

Sprows is charged with sourcing and developing original scripted content for the company’s three linear networks, Hallmark Channel, Hallmark Movies & Mysteries and Hallmark Drama.

Collaborating with producers, writers and agents, she will evaluate pitches and submissions and facilitate the production, marketing and promotion of new scripted programming.

Sprows was previously VP of development and production at LA-based indie Paulist. Prior to that she held development and production positions under development deals for 20th Century Fox and ABC Studios.

Last month, Crown upped Jessica Callahan to director of development.