International Production Executive to Develop and Produce Non-Fiction Series and Formats

LOS ANGELES, CA, January 19, 2010, – ITV Studios, Inc. has entered into an overall production deal with producer Jamie Roberts, it was announced today by the company’s President and CEO Paul Buccieri.  The deal with Roberts and his company, Escalate Television, LLC, is part of ITV Studios strategy to continue its rapid growth in producing home grown as well as international formats.  Escalate Television is based in LA and will now develop and produce non-fiction series and formats with ITV Studios.

Since January 2009, Escalate has created and sold original entertainment formats worldwide, and to domestic broadcasters including NBC, Game Show Network, BET and FOX Reality.

“Jamie Roberts is among the best and brightest producers in the international content business with the ability to create formats that resonate on both sides of the Pond.  He will be a dynamic addition to our successful development and production team at ITV Studios,” said Buccieri.

Roberts commented, “ITV Studios is the most prolific independent producer in the United States and the opportunity to be a part of their unparalleled success is tremendously exciting.”

From 2006-2008, Roberts was SVP, Head of Programming for Sony/Liberty owned US Cable Network GSN (Game Show Network). In this post, he oversaw GSN's production, development, acquisitions and program planning departments for the 70 million home network. 

Prior to GSN, Jamie held the position of Head of Production and Development for News Corp-owned Sky Networks US, overseeing US/UK co-productions that included Entertainment Tonight and the 77^th Annual Academy Awards.

Roberts spent 10 years with British Sky Broadcasting in the UK in key creative roles that included Director of Programming, Sky One, and Head of Production and Development, Sky Pictures. 

At Sky One, he Exec Produced and oversaw channel-defining, youth-skewing reality shows that included The Villa, and The Match.  At Sky Pictures, Roberts oversaw and Executive Produced the original television movies of ITV’s smash UK drama franchise Doc Martin.

Jamie started his career as Producer for Channel 4 in the UK on daily live magazine show, The Big Breakfast.

About ITV Studios, Inc.

ITV Studios, Inc., the U.S. based production entity of ITV Studios PLC in the U.K. is one of the largest international producers for the U.S. market and a major force in acquiring, developing and producing reality and scripted programming for US networks.

ITV Studios is a world leader in television production and distribution, with international production centers in the UK, Germany and Australia as well as America and programs distributed to over 155 territories worldwide. Our US hit TV show, Nanny 911, has been sold to more than 60 countries.

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