MGM launches UK unscripted unit

US studio MGM Television has launched a London-based unscripted division headed by a former head of formats at Channel 4.

Dom Bird

MGM International Unscripted Content will be dedicated to producing original unscripted content in the UK and is led by industry veteran Dom Bird, who left C4 last year.

The new division will be responsible for the local development of the studio’s formats and the development of original IP that is “targeted for the needs of the ever-expanding landscape of content providers in the UK,” MGM said.

The group will focus on the production of an original slate of unscripted programming, adapting the studio’s unscripted slate of formats and expanding its reach with UK-based talent.

Bird, also a former creative director for BBC entertainment, is a long-time associate of Mark Burnett, MGM’s chairman of its worldwide television group.

“I’ve known Dom for more than 15 years and he has a keen understanding of how to build great shows that relate to audiences worldwide. The UK is a very important market for MGM and I’m excited that Dom will be leading our charge of unscripted content,” said Survivor creator Burnett.

At C4, Bird greenlit unscripted shows including Hunted, Celebrity Hunted, Lego Masters, Seven Year Switch and youth-skewing titles Tattoo Fixers and Celebs Go Dating.

Previously at the BBC, Bird was the executive producer and showrunner of Dragons’ Den, which is produced in the US as Shark Tank by MGM TV, before he took on the role of creative director for entertainment.

Bird will jointly report to Barry Poznick, president MGM/Orion unscripted and alternative television; and Scot Cru, executive VP of global formats and unscripted content. He will be based at MGM’s London headquarters.