Endemol Shine North America Pacts with Craig Plestis

Endemol Shine North America has entered into an overall development deal with unscripted TV executive Craig Plestis and his Smart Dog Media production company.

Plestis previously helped develop and launch such series as America’s Got Talent, The Biggest Loser and Deal or No Deal as the former executive VP of alternative programming, development and specials at NBC. He is set to launch his latest series, Masked Singer, with Endemol Shine North America on FOX in January.

“Craig has a remarkable track record in both identifying and developing unscripted hits and we’re thrilled he is now housed with our team at Endemol Shine North America,” said Sharon Levy, president of unscripted and scripted television at Endemol Shine North America. “And his latest discovery, Masked Singer, is unlike anything we’ve seen here in the U.S. and is sure to make a lot of noise for FOX early next year.”

Plestis added, “After meeting with Sharon and her team, it was clear to me that joining forces made a lot of sense given Endemol Shine’s global sensibility and reach. When I originally made America’s Got Talent at NBC, no one was doing variety and I was first to the field with the idea. Our joint goal is the same: to develop new and groundbreaking series and we can’t wait to share the trailblazing and worldwide hit series Masked Singer with American viewers.”