Evan Shapiro to Lead Participant Media’s New TV Division

LOS ANGELES: Participant Media has created a new TV unit, Participant Television, tapping long-time AMC Networks executive Evan Shapiro to serve as president.

Shaprio has been serving as the president of IFC and Sundance Channel. He also executive produced a number of original documentaries and series, including This Film Is Not Yet Rated, Brick City, At the Death House Door, Trapped in the Closet, and, most recently, Portlandia. He now joins Participant Media as the president of the newly formed Participant Television. Shapiro will report to Jim Berk, Participant Media’s CEO. He takes on responsibility for the conception, development and production of original TV programming. Participant’s film slate includes such hit movies as Syriana, An Inconvenient Truth, The Cove, The Help and Good Night, and Good Luck.

Berk commented, “Expanding Participant’s brand of storytelling into television is both a natural progression and integral part of our expansion strategy. Evan’s tremendous impact in transforming the IFC and Sundance networks combined with his genuine interest in socially relevant media, make him the perfect choice.”

“For me, Participant’s double bottom line mission and model have always stood out on the media landscape—personally and professionally, I am driven by similar goals,” said Shapiro. “So I’m beyond excited to work with Jim and the Participant team and bring their approach and mission to a new, powerful medium.”