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Executive has served seven years at studio in Svod, Est, and Tvod.

Lionsgate’s veteran head of international TV distribution Peter Iacono is leaving the company and will be succeeded by Agapy Kapouranis, currently the mini-major’s executive vice-president of worldwide subscription video on demand.

Iacono is moving to a job as CEO of TravelCadabra, an internet travel, entertainment and e-commerce platform set to launch early next year.

Los Angeles-based Kapouranis will take the title of president of international television and digital distribution and report to Jim Packer, Lionsgate’s president of worldwide television and digital distribution.

Kapouranis joined Lionsgate...

As a steadily diversifying Lionsgate continues to bolster its VOD, subscription VOD and digital divisions, Agapy Kapouranis has been promoted, just as Lionsgate international TV exec Peter Iacono exits the Hollywood studio.

Kapouranis becomes president of international television and digital distribution as she succeeds Iacono, who is to leave Lionsgate to become CEO of TravelCadabra. Kapouranis in 2016 was upped to the newly created position of executive vp global subscription video on demand, as Lionsgate looked to license more content to streaming services worldwide.

Reporting to Lionsgate president of worldwide television and digital distribution Jim Packer, Kapouranis will continue to ...

Adaptations of existing intellectual property are popular both domestically and worldwide, whether it’s “Hang Ups,” a British adaptation of Lisa Kudrow’s “Web Therapy” starring Stephen Mangan, or the numerous recent projects based on existing novels.

Red Arrow Studios Intl. brings season four of “Bosch,” based on the novels by Michael Connelly, to Mip this month.

“The bigger the IP is, the bigger the name of the writer is, the bigger the chances are of success around the globe,” says Red Arrow Intl. president Henrik Pabst. “When you speak to buyers on the scripted side, the moment you can bring in a built-in audience it is clearly an upside. The channel or platform doesn’t need to start from scratch. The brand already exists and with social media you reach everybody.”

After its success with “The Night Manager,” based on the novel by John le Carre, the Ink Factory...

Starz veteran to seek licensing opportunities, identify film and TV buys.

Gene George has been named executive vice-president of worldwide distribution with responsibility for international television distribution at Lionsgate.

George will report to recently promoted Lionsgate president of international television and digital distribution Peter Iacono.

“The Starz acquisition not only allowed us to grow our content platform exponentially but provided us with great executives to round out our global distribution presence,” Lionsgate president of worldwide television and digital distribution Jim Packer, who made the announcement, said.

“The recent announcement of Jared Goetz to head up North American television distribution, Gene George’s appointment on the international side and Susan Hummel’s hire to head our Canadian office give us a team that will take us to the next level and a worldwide distribution organisation second to none.”

George is a nine-year Starz executive who most recently served as executive vice president of Starz worldwide distribution.

In his new...

Lionsgate President of Worldwide Television & Digital Distribution Jim Packer said today that Starz veteran Gene George has been appointed Evp Worldwide Distribution. He will be responsibile for international TV distribution and report to recently promoted President of International Television & Digital Distribution Peter Iacono. “The Starz acquisition not only allowed us to grow our content platform exponentially but provided us with great executives to round out our…...

Lionsgate has promoted the executive to the new role of executive vice-president of global Svod in a move that reflects the growing importance of the platform in global licensing.

Kapouranis will be based at the company’s corporate headquarters in Santa Monica, California, and will spearhead the licensing of content to Svod platforms throughout the international marketplace.

She will also continue to oversee licensing of content in Canada and reports to Lionsgate executive vice-president of North American TV and Svod sales Lawrence Szabo and Lionsgate president of international television and digital distribution Peter Iacono.

Kapouranis previously served as senior vice-president of television and digital distribution and joined Lionsgate in May 2011 after serving as vice-president of international on-demand and new media at MGM Studios.

“Agapy is an innovative television and digital distribution executive and a skilled decision-maker with a deep understanding of local international markets and global Svod deals,” said Lionsgate president of worldwide television & digital distribution [link=nm...

Fox Networks Group (Fng) Latin America will distribute Lionsgate content on its pay-tv and basic cable channels across Latin America.

The deal covers films like Divergent and Insurgent, Philomena, and Pantelion title Ladrones.

The channels will also get access to popular titles in the Lionsgate library.

Peter Iacono, Lionsgate’s president of international television and digital distribution, and svp of sales Maryann Pasante, brokered the deal with Fng Latin America svp of acquisitions Richard Rohrbach.

The Royals has been given a UK premiere date.

The drama series starring Elizabeth Hurley will debut on Wednesday, March 25 at 9pm on E! UK.

Created by One Tree Hill creator Mark Schwahn, it stars Hurley as the fiercely protective Queen Helena, a member of a fictional version of the British royal family.

Posing to the public that her family is one of class and grace, Helena is kept on her toes by her rebellious daughter Eleanor (Alexandra Park), as the tabloids document her unprincess-like behaviour.

Vincent Regan and William Moseley also star in the show, which is co-produced by Lionsgate and Universal Cable Productions.

Lionsgate exec Peter Iacono said: "The series exemplifies the kind of distinctive and daring programming that defines and drives our TV brand, and we're very pleased that British viewers will have the opportunity to meet The Royals when the series launches on E! UK next month.

Channel 4 has acquired the UK broadcast rights for Houdini.

The four-hour miniseries will air on the channel later this month, after the broadcaster secured a deal with Lionsgate Television.

Houdini follows the life of Eastern European immigrant Ehrich Weiss as he progresses from performing at circus sideshows to packing out concert halls as the daring Harry Houdini, eventually finding worldwide fame as an illusionist.

The series will see Houdini engage in espionage, battle against spiritualists and encounter names such as Arthur Conan Doyle and Rasputin.

Adrien Brody of The Pianist fame stars as Houdini, while Kristen Connolly (House of Cards) will appear as Bess, Houdini's wife and right-hand woman. Evan Jones (A Million Ways to Die in the West) also stars as Jim Collins, Houdini's assistant and confidant.

Guy Avshalom, COO of Lionsgate UK, and Peter Iacono, Managing Director of International TV, said: "Houdini is the kind...

Thomas Hughes has been promoted to evp of worldwide digital distribution at Lionsgate.

Hughes will continue to report to president of worldwide television and digital distribution Jim Packer and work closely with international television executive Peter Iacono on growing digital and VOD opportunities.

Hughes joined Lionsgate in March 2011 after serving as vp of worldwide digital at MGM for three years.

Senior evp for global policy and external affairs, Michael O’Leary will depart the Motion Picture Association Of America (MPAA) in June after nine years. O’Leary will assume an advisory role and joined the MPAA in 2005.

Mad Men producer Lionsgate is to expand its TV production business into the UK as part of a wider international push.

The company, which produces recent Netflix series Orange Is The New Black, Charlie Sheen’s Anger Management and country & western drama Nashville, is keen to grow its TV production business outside of the Us.

Managing director of international television Peter Iacono told ScreenDaily’s sister publication Broadcast that the company would like to replicate the success Lionsgate UK has had in film.

It has produced Jason Statham’s crime thriller Blitz, Keith Lemon: The Film and Alan Rickman’s forthcoming directorial debut A Little Chaos, which is co-produced with BBC Films.

“If we can do this in film, why can’t we do it in TV? It’s a natural evolution,” he said.

The company is in talks with potential co-production partners for drama and comedy projects, and is in early stage discussions with broadcasters.

[link...

Mumbai: Poised for yet another power-packed Mipcom, Lionsgate, led by Peter Iacono, managing director, international television, is arriving to Cannes with a stellar line-up of diverse programming and groundbreaking content. From the Emmy Award winning creators of Arrested Development comes Running Wilde, (13 x 30), an unconventional new romantic comedy premiering on Fox this fall. Will Arnett (30 Rock, Arrested Development)) stars as Steven Wilde, a self-centered heir who has everything money can buy except his childhood sweetheart, Emmy, played by Keri Russell (Felicity). Steven will ...

Lionsgate has named Priscilla Pesci senior vp television marketing and Tori Crotts executive director of television marketing.

Formerly senior vp marketing at MGM Worldwide Television Group and most recently head of her own marketing firm, Pesci will oversee all aspects of domestic and international marketing for the studio's television division, reporting to Peter Iacono, Lionsgate's managing director of international television.

Crotts, who most recently was director of television marketing, will assume an expanded role in creative services and international markets.

London -- ITV Global Entertainment chief Peter Iacono has parted company with the broadcaster less than three weeks after it announced plans to cull 600 jobs to cut costs.

Iacono is one of the highest-profile execs to exit the beleaguered U.K. broadcaster so far, confirming earlier speculation over his future at the commercial network.

Iacono was hired at ITV 15 months ago from Sony Pictures International by former production head Dawn Airey -- who quit ITV soon after to join Five. As head of distribution, he has lead international growth strategies for such shows as "Hell's Kitchen," "Lost in Austin" and "Come Dine With Me," and grown ITV's international co-production slate.

"My time at ITV has been hugely rewarding. I've been fortunate enough to work alongside some exceptionally talented people on a wide range of successful entertainment brands, and I'd like to thank my colleagues for all their commitment and enthusiasm,...

London -- ITV Worldwide president and managing director Peter Iacono is thought to be among more than 50 top managers at the broadcaster who began redundancy talks Thursday, following the news that it will cull 600 jobs to cut costs.

A spokesman for ITV confirmed that 51 of the network's 171 top managers are expected to leave the organization, but would not comment on any particular executives, saying only that consultation processes have begun.

Other executives thought to be on their way out include daytime head Adam McDonald, drama commissioner Victoria Fea and award-winning producer Sita Williams.

ITV staffers have been left reeling as redundancy consultations began Thursday, with job losses expected across broadcasting, program sales, drama production and the sports department as well as back-office operations.

"It's a very tense time here now," said one insider who has been tapped for redundancy.

Iacono, a well-liked executive, was hired to join ITV 15 months ago...