Televisa USA hires Sierra/Engine boss

NATPE: Mexican media giant Televisa has hired the CEO of Sierra/Engine Television to join its US division as the head of a new global distribution and production unit.

Chris Philip has been brought in to bolster the firm’s domestic and international English-language programme making and sales.

Working with Televisa USA chief creative officer Michael Garcia and chief of operations and business affairs Ryan Likes, Philip will develop and set up new series in the US, secure international coproductions and oversee the sale of Televisa USA content worldwide.

The deal also provides Televisa USA with first-look rights to a pre-existing slate of projects from Sierra/Engine Television and its parent companies, Sierra Affinity and Engine Entertainment. That includes NBC primetime series Crossbones, starring John Malkovich, and Siberia.

Philip will continue to serve as Engine Entertainment’s CEO, having co-founded the company in 2009 but all future shows will go out through Televisa. Prior to Engine, he was president of worldwide sales at London-based Power Television, and VP at NBCUniversal International Television.

Philip will report to Televisa USA MD Paul Presburger who said the appointment would help the division become a key contributor to the global distribution of parent Grupo Televisa.