Global unscripted head Tara Long exits eOne ahead of Lionsgate deal close

Entertainment One (eOne)’s president of global unscripted television Tara Long is departing the company after more than a decade.

Tara Long

The LA-based exec’s departure comes ahead of the completion of Lionsgate’s acquisition of eOne, which is expected to close before the end of the month. Deadline was the first to report Long’s exit.

Last week, eOne underwent another round of lay-offs, with its headcount being reduced by as much as 10%, according to some reports. Earlier in the year, as the transatlantic production studio prepared to be sold by Hasbro, around 20% of the workforce was cut.

Long has been with eOne since 2009 when she was brought in by then CEO John Morayniss to lead the company’s US reality television division.

According to Deadline, Long is launching her own production company and is set to ink a deal with Morayniss-led Canadian outfit Blink49 Studios.

During her time at eOne, Long worked on series including WE tv’s Growing Up Hip Hop, MTV’s Ex on the Beach and A&E’s Biggie: The Life of Notorious B.I.G., as well as spearheading partnerships with the likes of Creature Films, Crush+Lab and Fired Up Films.

Several top execs have already exited eOne over the course of the year since the Lionsgate deal was announced, including president of film and television Steve Bertram and president of global television Michael Lombardo. Lionsgate is acquiring eOne for US$500m, including US$375m in cash.