Dirk Hoogstra named Half Yard CEO

Former History and Discovery exec Dirk Hoogstra has been upped to CEO of Say Yes To The Dress producer Half Yard Productions, with incumbent Sean Gallagher leaving the company.

Dirk Hoogstra

Hoogstra has been promoted from his existing role as exec VP of development at the Red Arrow Studios-owned US production company with immediate effect.

After 14 years at Half Yard, current CEO and co-founder Gallagher has decided to step down and leave the company to pursue interests outside of the TV industry.

Half Yard Productions produces factual and factual entertainment including TLC’s Say Yes to the Dress, which is currently in its 19th season, and multiple spin-offs, as well as new shows including Relatively Evil for Investigation Discovery and Dino Hunters for Discovery.

Hoogstra joined Half Yard in 2019 as exec VP of development. He started his career at Discovery and has worked in the media industry as a network executive and producer, holding a number of senior positions including exec VP and general manager of A&E’s History.

During his run at History he developed and oversaw scripted and unscripted series including American Pickers, Counting Cars, Mountain Men, Top Gear, Hatfields & McCoys, The Bible and Vikings.

Sean Gallagher

Gallagher founded Half Yard Productions in 2006 with Abby Greensfelder and took over as CEO in January 2019. Before that, Gallagher was senior VP of production and development at Discovery’s female-skewing lifestyle cablenet TLC, launching series including Miami Ink and Little People, Big World. Prior to TLC, Gallagher was VP of development for Discovery Channel.

Hoogstra said: “I am delighted to be stepping up and taking the helm at Half Yard Productions. We would all like to thank Sean for building such an impressive and creative business, and I look forward to continuing to work closely with our chief creative officer, Nicole Sorrenti, and the whole team on our diverse slate of shows.”

Gallagher said: “I’m so proud of what we have achieved at Half Yard over the years, and now seems a good time to try some new things, and have some fun away from TV. With such a strong slate of both long-running brands and exciting new commissions coming through, I am happy to leave the company in great shape and in the talented hands of Dirk and the fantastic team.”