STX Entertainment Taps Jason Goldberg for Unscripted Venture

LOS ANGELES: STX Entertainment has launched a non-scripted television business, which is being led by Jason Goldberg, creator and executive producer of such hit shows as Punk’d and Beauty and the Geek.

Goldberg has been appointed president of non-scripted and alternative programming. Under his leadership, STX ventures into a new line of business, planning to create original programming in the U.S., China and India for distribution across linear and digital platforms. The non-scripted programming business will also focus on developing local-language IP, both in the U.S. and internationally, that has the ability to engage audiences across screens, and has the potential to be successfully leveraged into additional forms of entertainment.

The company will identify, develop and produce projects both internally and through partnerships with production companies. STX will control the international and U.S. format rights for shows originating in China, and expects to make further announcements regarding additional markets in the near future.

STX Non-Scripted has already sold and secured development deals for 12 shows to multiple networks in the U.S. and Asia, including NBC, The CW, Food Network, Syfy, Oxygen and Freeform. STX will become the first U.S.-based entertainment company involved in a broadcast television show airing in China. Currently titled Thank You for Your Love, and developed in conjunction with XG Entertainment, the show will air later this year.

“STX is the premier home for the world’s best storytellers, and building non-scripted production capabilities opens up even more avenues to reach audiences across diverse creative outlets,” said Sophie Watts, the president of STX Entertainment. “We’re thrilled to add Jason to the STX team as we continue to expand our global TV, film and digital capabilities. That STX Non-Scripted has already sold 12 shows, including projects in China, is an indicator of the global opportunity we see ahead of us.”

“We strategically built STX to capitalize on today’s evolved media landscape. Integrating our operations horizontally eliminates traditional creative barriers so that content ideation and development is centered on reaching and engaging audiences in the most compelling way,” added Robert Simonds, the chairman and CEO of STX Entertainment. “Our unique, flexible approach to development will drive creation of content that meets the needs of growing worldwide audiences across platforms.”

“STX has built an innovative company that embraces both established and emerging global platforms with a fantastic opportunity for content development,” said Goldberg. “I look forward to finding additional and new ways for STX to partner with talent and brands to reach fans on a global scale.”