MGM Establishes U.K. Unscripted Hub

MGM Television has set up a new London-based division dedicated to the production of original unscripted content.

MGM International Unscripted Content will be responsible for the local development of the studio’s formats and the development of original IP.

The new division will be headed by Dom Bird, previously head of formats for Channel 4 and former creative director for BBC Entertainment. Bird will jointly report to Barry Poznick, MGM’s president of unscripted and alternative television and Orion Television, and Scot Cru, executive VP of global formats and unscripted content. He will be based at MGM’S London headquarters. Bird is a long-time associate of Mark Burnett, MGM’s chairman of the worldwide television group.

“I’ve known Dom for more than 15-years, he has a keen understanding of how to build great shows that relate to audiences worldwide.  The U.K. is a very important market for MGM and I’m excited that Dom will be leading our charge of unscripted content,” said Burnett.

“Mark Burnett and the team at MGM really are the very best in the business and I’m thrilled to be joining their efforts to expand the reach of this iconic company,” said Bird.