OWN taps Tappon as unscripted head

Discovery-owned US cablenet OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network has hired Drew Tappon from Jersey Shore producer 495 Productions as head of unscripted development, programming and specials.

Drew Tappon

Tappon joins OWN from 495, where he was chief creative officer for nearly five years, before which he was senior VP of alternative programming at A+E Networks, overseeing unscripted series like Born this Way.

Prior to A+E, Tappon was senior creative executive at Warner Horizon Television, where his credits included reality shows like The Bachelor and The Voice.

He began his TV career at ViacomCBS-owned youth-skewing network MTV, initially as senior VP of original programming before being promoted to head of development.

In his new role at OWN, Tappon will develop unscripted content across all genres, reporting to the cablenet’s president, Tina Perry. He replaces Robyn Lattaker-Johnson, who stepped down in April.

Perry said: “Drew is one of the most talented creatives in the industry, having developed and produced some of the biggest unscripted hits on television. I am beyond excited to have him join OWN to bring his expertise to our growing line-up of dynamic series.”