Lionsgate lands ex-Core exec

Lionsgate Television in the US has appointed the former head of television at Core Media to the new role of executive VP of alternative programming.

Jennifer O’Connell

Jennifer O’Connell joins the studio as it looks to expand its unscripted operation, taking up the post immediately.

O’Connell will oversee the development and production of Lionsgate’s unscripted slate across all platforms. She left Core Media Group, where she had been head of US Television since 2012, last month.

O’Connell spent seven years at NBC, first as VP of movies and miniseries and then as VP of alternative programmes, before joining Shed Media, where she was exec VP of development and production for five years.

“Expanding our footprint in alternative programming is a high priority for Lionsgate and we’re delighted Jennifer is joining us to help lead that effort,” said Lionsgate TV Group chairman Kevin Beggs.

O’Connell launched Core’s original TV arm and oversaw development and production of all programmes in the US, including Sing it On (POP), Euros of Hollywood (Bravo) and Hair Jacked (TruTV) with partners Sean Hayes and Todd Milliner, among others.

Lionsgate’s recent unscripted partnerships include teaming up with Eli Frankel’s Rogue Atlas Productions, Dave Caplan’s Trooper Entertainment, Matt Kunitz’s Pulse Creative, and Adam DiVello’s Done and Done Productions.

Among the recent additions to its slate are Sean Jackson: Home Team, which premiered on BET in June; the upcoming Douglas Family Gold for Oxygen; and Hellavator for GSN. Lionsgate reality series Christina Milian Turned Up returns to E! on November 3 for its second season.