I’ve learned that Universal Cable Prods. VP Tom Lieber is leaving the company. Under Ucp’s previous management structure, development was split to three areas — projects for USA, overseen by Svp Richard Rothstein, for Syfy, headed by Lieber, and for outside networks, run by Svp Maira Suro, who left a year ago. In the recent restructuring, veteran producer Dawn Parouse Olmstead (Prison Break) was brought in to lead Ucp’s development team as the studio is ramping up operations under Jeff Wachtel, President and Chief Content Officer at NBCU Cable Entertainment, while Rothstein was put in charge of the studio’s current scripted series. Lieber is leaving to join Syfy/Ucp’s drama Dominion, which he had been shepherding for the studio. He asked to be relieved from his duties at the studio and will be based in South Africa where the series is filmed.
- 1/31/2014
- by NELLIE ANDREEVA
- Deadline TV
Universal Cable Prods. Svp Maira Suro has exited the studio after a three-year stint. Suro headed development for external networks at Ucp, leading the studio’s efforts over the past couple of years to expand its portfolio beyond sister nets USA and Syfy. They resulted in two series, MTV’s I Just Want My Pants Back and Lifetime’s Against The Wall, which lasted a season each, as well as a slew of development projects at cable and broadcast networks, some of which are still active. In light of Suro’s exit, it is unclear whether Ucp will stay in the business of selling to outside networks. Before joining Ucp in 2010, Suro was Svp, West Coast series development, MTV Networks. She also worked for Francis Ford Coppola’s Zoetrope Television. In other development executive departures, Phil Breman is exiting his post as executive director, development for Disney Channel where he...
- 3/8/2013
- by NELLIE ANDREEVA
- Deadline TV
Exclusive: FX has put in development Crash And Burn, a drama project from The Walking Dead executive producer Gale Anne Hurd and Universal Cable Prods. It is written by Jeffrey Lieber (Necessary Roughness) and loosely inspired by the non-fiction book The Full Burn by Kevin Conley. Crash And Burn tells the story of Doc Dixon, a man trying to survive as a Stuntman during the anything goes world of pre-computer-generation, post Vietnam San Fernando Valley, California. He’s trying to save his family, hold together his union, and live to see 50… all with the understanding that if his work doesn’t kill him… the weekends probably will. This marks Ucp’s first project for FX. “Our partners at Valhalla continue to bring us compelling material, and this provocative world of stuntmen in the 70′s is a perfect fit for FX,” the studio’s Svp Maira Suro said. Under its deal with Ucp,...
- 2/20/2013
- by NELLIE ANDREEVA
- Deadline TV
Covert Affairs creators and executive producers Matt Corman and Chris Ord have inked their first overall deal. Universal Cable Productions have signed the duo behind their successful USA series to stay on as showrunners while developing new series for both cable and broadcast networks. They'll work closely with Richard Rothstein and Maira Suro, senior vps development and current programming at Ucp, and vp Tom Lieber. “From day one, we have had a fantastic relationship with Matt and Chris," said Rothstein, who oversees the studio's series for USA. "They are terrific storytellers who have found a unique way to infuse
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- 12/14/2012
- by Michael O'Connell
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Exclusive: In their first overall deal, Matt Corman and Chris Ord, creators/executive producers of USA Network’s hit globe-trotting spy drama Covert Affairs, have inked a pact with the studio behind the series, Universal Cable Prods. The writing partners will continue to shepherd Covert Affairs, which has been renewed for a fourth season, as they have been since day one. In addition to their duties on the show starring Piper Perabo, under their Ucp pact the duo will also develop series for cable and broadcast networks. They’ll work closely with Ucp’s development team – SVPs Richard Rothstein and Maira Suro and VP Tom Lieber – who oversee the studio’s series for USA, external networks and Syfy, respectively. “From day one, we have had a fantastic relationship with Matt and Chris,” Rothstein said. “They are terrific storytellers who have found a unique way to infuse the action genre with...
- 12/14/2012
- by NELLIE ANDREEVA
- Deadline TV
Exclusive: Gale Anne Hurd’s Valhalla Entertainment has hired its first dedicated TV executive. Stacey Levin has joined the company as VP Television to oversee development of series projects in drama, comedy and reality for cable and broadcast networks. Valhalla also has promoted Creative Executive Kris Henigman to Director of Development and upped Hurd’s former assistant, Phillip Kobylanski to Story Editor. The staff expansion comes on the heels of Valhalla signing an exclusive pod deal with Universal Cable Prods. in April, the company’s first overall TV deal, as Valhalla looks the build on the success it has had with its first primetime series, AMC’s hit The Walking Dead, which Hurd executive produces. “Stacey has proven her ability to collaborate creatively and effectively on a wide array of projects in different genres with various networks,” says Hurd. “She will be invaluable to us as we expand our television production slate.
- 8/27/2012
- by NELLIE ANDREEVA
- Deadline TV
John Legend is focusing on television. The nine-time Grammy winner has inked an exclusive pod deal with NBC's studio counterpart Universal Cable Productions, The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed. Under the deal, Legend and his Get Lifted Film Co., with partners Mike Jackson and Ty Stiklorius, will work alongside Ucp senior vps Richard Rothstein, Chris Sanagustin and Maira Suro to develop series for cable and broadcast networks. "We're thrilled to have the creative talents of John, Mike and Ty to help us in our efforts to create imaginative and signature television,” Rothstein, Sanagustin and Suro said in a joint
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- 7/31/2012
- by Lesley Goldberg
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Exclusive: Universal Cable Productions has signed singer-songwriter John Legend and his Get Lifted Film Company to an exclusive pod deal to develop series for cable and broadcast networks. Under the pact, the nine-time Grammy winner and his partners Mike Jackson and Ty Stiklorius will work closely with Ucp’s development team – SVPs Richard Rothstein, Chris Sanagustin and Maira Suro – who oversee the studio’s development for USA Network, Syfy and external networks, respectively. The deal marks Legend’s first formal foray into the television series business. He called it “next step forward in building Get Lifted.” Ucp has been very selective with its pod deals. Get Lifted joins a handful of other companies that have deals with the studio, including Hypnotic, which produces Ucp’s USA dramas Covert Affairs and Suits and recently produced the studio’s critically acclaimed MTV comedy I Just Want My Pants Back for MTV; Tagline,...
- 7/31/2012
- by NELLIE ANDREEVA
- Deadline TV
The Walking Dead executive producer Gale Anne Hurd's Valhalla Entertainment has inked an exclusive pod deal with Universal Cable Productions. Under the pact, Hurd -- whose big-screen credits also include Terminator 2 and The Abyss -- will develop and produce new television projects for cable and broadcast networks including the studio's NBCUniversal siblings USA Network and Syfy. "Gale's vision, expertise and superb taste make her and the Valhalla team a trifecta win for Ucp," Ucp senior vps Richard Rothstein, Chris Sanagustin and Maira Suro said in a joint statement announcing the news Monday. "We are ecstatic that Valhalla is joining
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- 4/16/2012
- by Lesley Goldberg
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Exclusive: Gale Anne Hurd’s Valhalla Entertainment has inked an exclusive pod deal with Universal Cable Prods. This marks the first overall TV deal for Valhalla, which will develop and produce projects for both cable and broadcast networks, including Ucp’s NBCUniversal siblings USA and Syfy. The agreement builds on the success Valhalla has had with its first primetime series, AMC’s smash The Walking Dead, which Hurd executive produces. Under the deal, Hurd and her executives will work with Ucp’s development team — SVPs Richard Rothstein, Chris Sanagustin and Maira Suro — who oversee the studio’s development for USA, Syfy and external networks, respectively. The trio noted that Valhalla “shares our creative commitment, passion for great stories and desire to produce efficiently.” Hurd, who has not worked with USA and Syfy, pointed to Ucp’s decision last year to expand into producing for broadcast in addition to cable. “We...
- 4/16/2012
- by NELLIE ANDREEVA
- Deadline TV
Exclusive: In its first development season as a broadcast player, Universal Cable Prods has sold two projects, including one to corporate sibling NBC. The NBC project hails from Numbers creators Nicolas Falacci and Cheryl Heuton as well as Doug Liman and Dave Bartis’s Ucp-based production company Hypnotic. It is based on a short story from Elmore Leonard’s anthology When the Women Come Out To Dance, the book that also features the short story Fire In The Hole that FX’s series Justified is based on. The NBC project centers on a Colombian mail-order bride who finds herself working as a “fixer” in South Miami as she struggles to escape her troubled past. It joins Ucp’s Jason Tracey-penned detective drama Metropolitan, also from Hypnotic, which recently sold to Fox. And there are a few more broadcast pitches in various stages, said Ucp’s Svp Maira Suro, who...
- 9/29/2011
- by NELLIE ANDREEVA
- Deadline TV
MTV has greenlighted for production I Just Want My Pants Back, a drama pilot based on the book by David Rosen, which will be directed by Doug Liman. The project, from Liman and Dave Bartis’ Hypnotic and Universal Cable Prods., marks the first pilot order from an outside network for Ucp, which has been ramping up development for unaffiliated cable networks in the past 6 months under Svp Maira Suro. It also falls under a two-year overall deal that Hypnotic has signed with Upc. Described as an youthful romantic dramedy set in New York City, Pants centers on 22-year-old Jason Strider and his friends who grapple with dating, romance and becoming adults. The project was originally developed for NBC through Ums where Hypnotic was based. Through their relationship with Upc where they executive produce the studio’s new series for USA Covert Affairs, Liman and Bartis brought the script to Suro.
- 8/6/2010
- by NELLIE ANDREEVA
- Deadline TV
By Wrap Staff
Maira Suro has joined Universal Cable Productions as senior vice president, development and current programming. She most recently was senior VP, West Coast series development, MTV Networks.
Ucp also has promoted studio executives Christine Sanagustin, Tom Lieber and Korin Huggins, according to an announcement issued Thursday by Jeff Wachtel and Mark Stern, co-heads of original content for Ucp.
Suro will be responsible for overseeing new and current programm...
Maira Suro has joined Universal Cable Productions as senior vice president, development and current programming. She most recently was senior VP, West Coast series development, MTV Networks.
Ucp also has promoted studio executives Christine Sanagustin, Tom Lieber and Korin Huggins, according to an announcement issued Thursday by Jeff Wachtel and Mark Stern, co-heads of original content for Ucp.
Suro will be responsible for overseeing new and current programm...
- 2/11/2010
- by Lisa Horowitz
- The Wrap
Maira Suro has joined Universal Cable Prods. as senior vp development and current programming.
Also, Ucp -- the production arm of NBC Uni's USA Network and Syfy -- has promoted Christina Sanagustin to senior vp development and current programming. Tom Lieber was upped to director of current and development, and Korin Huggins was named current and development manager.
Suro will oversee programming for non-nbc Uni cable networks and ancillary programming related to all Ucp series. She succeeds vp Nikki Reed, who recently left Ucp to join the Disney Channel.
Suro -- who most recently was senior vp series development West Coast at MTV, shepherding scripted series development -- previously worked with USA on the series "The 4400," which she exec produced. She also has held positions at Francis Ford Coppola's Zoetrope TV, Upn and CBS.
Also, Ucp -- the production arm of NBC Uni's USA Network and Syfy -- has promoted Christina Sanagustin to senior vp development and current programming. Tom Lieber was upped to director of current and development, and Korin Huggins was named current and development manager.
Suro will oversee programming for non-nbc Uni cable networks and ancillary programming related to all Ucp series. She succeeds vp Nikki Reed, who recently left Ucp to join the Disney Channel.
Suro -- who most recently was senior vp series development West Coast at MTV, shepherding scripted series development -- previously worked with USA on the series "The 4400," which she exec produced. She also has held positions at Francis Ford Coppola's Zoetrope TV, Upn and CBS.
- 2/11/2010
- by By Nellie Andreeva
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
On the surface, it looked like another cost-cutting measure by a media company in the face of a prolonged recession -- MTV Networks' Music Group and Logo division on Tuesday trimmed 50-something jobs.
But at ratings-challenged MTV, which took the brunt of the layoffs, what may have appeared to be a budget cut was in fact a long-in-the works programming restructuring that created new development teams reporting directly to MTV president of programming Tony Disanto.
"It was not done for financial reasons, it was purely creative -- an overhaul of the organization to better meet the creative needs of MTV," Disanto said.
Seven executives, about half of MTV's development team under Disanto and his top lieutenant, Liz Gateley, were let go. Among those were senior vps Maira Suro, who oversaw for the channel's scripted efforts, and Aaron Meyerson, who shepherded a slate of unscripted series.
Under the new structure,...
But at ratings-challenged MTV, which took the brunt of the layoffs, what may have appeared to be a budget cut was in fact a long-in-the works programming restructuring that created new development teams reporting directly to MTV president of programming Tony Disanto.
"It was not done for financial reasons, it was purely creative -- an overhaul of the organization to better meet the creative needs of MTV," Disanto said.
Seven executives, about half of MTV's development team under Disanto and his top lieutenant, Liz Gateley, were let go. Among those were senior vps Maira Suro, who oversaw for the channel's scripted efforts, and Aaron Meyerson, who shepherded a slate of unscripted series.
Under the new structure,...
- 6/24/2009
- by By Nellie Andreeva
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Latest job elimination represents 1 percent of workforce.
By Wrap Staff
MTV Networks cut around 75 staffers on Tuesday.
Most of the cuts were at MTV, with ten positions eliminated at Logo.
The layoffs account for less than 1% of MTV Networks' workforce.
Maira Suro was among the highest-level executives departing. She was hired as the newly created position of Senior VP Series Development, West Coast, in 2007.
An MTV spokeswoman said, "We have been taking a look at our business and how to position ourselves for future growth. It's pretty much the economy."
This round of layoffs follows the cut of 850 jobs in December ...
By Wrap Staff
MTV Networks cut around 75 staffers on Tuesday.
Most of the cuts were at MTV, with ten positions eliminated at Logo.
The layoffs account for less than 1% of MTV Networks' workforce.
Maira Suro was among the highest-level executives departing. She was hired as the newly created position of Senior VP Series Development, West Coast, in 2007.
An MTV spokeswoman said, "We have been taking a look at our business and how to position ourselves for future growth. It's pretty much the economy."
This round of layoffs follows the cut of 850 jobs in December ...
- 6/23/2009
- by Michael Speier
- The Wrap
MTV Networks has trimmed the staff of its MTV Music Group and Logo division.
About 50 employees were laid off Tuesday, representing 1% of MTV Networks' work force.
"The current economic climate dictates we continue to look for more efficiencies in how we run our businesses," MTV said in a statement.
The most affected areas include MTV development, with senior vp Maira Suro among the highest- level executives departing.
She was tapped in the newly created position of senior vp series development, West Coast, in 2007.
The staff changes in MTV's development team also reflects the network's efforts to tweak its development efforts as part of its rebranding strategy, according to a company spokeswoman.
"The development execs we had in place are terrific and have done a great job, but as we reinvent the brand it is important to bring in new voices that will help us reflect our audience," the spokeswoman said,...
About 50 employees were laid off Tuesday, representing 1% of MTV Networks' work force.
"The current economic climate dictates we continue to look for more efficiencies in how we run our businesses," MTV said in a statement.
The most affected areas include MTV development, with senior vp Maira Suro among the highest- level executives departing.
She was tapped in the newly created position of senior vp series development, West Coast, in 2007.
The staff changes in MTV's development team also reflects the network's efforts to tweak its development efforts as part of its rebranding strategy, according to a company spokeswoman.
"The development execs we had in place are terrific and have done a great job, but as we reinvent the brand it is important to bring in new voices that will help us reflect our audience," the spokeswoman said,...
- 6/23/2009
- by By Nellie Andreeva
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Maira Suro is returning to her executive roots with a post at MTV, sources said.
It is understood that Suro, who was senior vp drama at UPN before switching to producing in 2000, is close to being named senior vp and head of West Coast series development, focusing on scripted and reality series for the music cable channel.
She is expected to report to senior vp series development Liz Gateley. Reps for MTV declined comment Thursday
Suro most recently was head of scripted TV at Renegade 83, launching the reality company’s first scripted hit — USA Network’s “The 4400.” She also serves as an executive producer on the show. Before that, Suro was president of Francis Ford Coppola’s American Zoetrope Television, where she shepherded the praised hip-hop drama series “Platinum” for UPN. Suro headed UPN’s drama department from 1997-2000.
Before UPN, Suro was vp series development at Spelling Entertainment Group, where she developed such series as WB Network’s “7th Heaven” and “Charmed.” Suro’s resume also includes stints at CBS as director of drama development and at Columbia Pictures Television as manager of drama development.
It is understood that Suro, who was senior vp drama at UPN before switching to producing in 2000, is close to being named senior vp and head of West Coast series development, focusing on scripted and reality series for the music cable channel.
She is expected to report to senior vp series development Liz Gateley. Reps for MTV declined comment Thursday
Suro most recently was head of scripted TV at Renegade 83, launching the reality company’s first scripted hit — USA Network’s “The 4400.” She also serves as an executive producer on the show. Before that, Suro was president of Francis Ford Coppola’s American Zoetrope Television, where she shepherded the praised hip-hop drama series “Platinum” for UPN. Suro headed UPN’s drama department from 1997-2000.
Before UPN, Suro was vp series development at Spelling Entertainment Group, where she developed such series as WB Network’s “7th Heaven” and “Charmed.” Suro’s resume also includes stints at CBS as director of drama development and at Columbia Pictures Television as manager of drama development.
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