Stern joins IM Global’s TV unit

The former president of original content at US cablenet Syfy has joined film financing firm IM Global to lead its new TV production and distribution arm.

Mark Stern is joining the film financing, production and sales company, founded by Stuart Ford in 2007, as it prepares to make its first move into the TV business.

Earlier this month, the firm struck a deal to make its first TV series, The Killing Pool, a coproduction with Red Union Films and Pinewood Pictures.

Stern, who becomes a president and partner of the new venture, will be based in the company’s LA office, taking responsibility for creating scripted content.

He was replaced at Syfy by Bill McGoldrick last November, after 11 years in the role.

While at the network, Stern was in charge of scripted and unscripted series including Helix, Battlestar Galactica and Being Human. He was also a co-head of original content at Universal Cable Productions.

In May 2010, Reliance Entertainment, part of Indian conglomerate Reliance ADA Group, acquired a majority shareholding in IM Global.