Ovation Hires New VP of Originals, Head of Digital

SANTA MONICA: The U.S. arts network Ovation has tapped Jason Black as its new VP of original programming and head of digital media.

Black will be responsible for overseeing the management, development and execution of all original programming on the linear channel, and is also responsible for Ovationtv.com, the network’s YouTube channel and VOD. Black will be reporting to Douglas Strasnick, the network’s new senior VP and head of programming and content strategy.

"Jason is a media rock star. I’ve worked with Jason for nearly 10 years, and there aren’t many folks who can drive this growth in original content with such a unique, diverse background in traditional and digital,” said Robert Weiss, Ovation’s chief creative officer. “Jason is the rare executive who not only has terrific creative acumen, but who is also a passionate and sincere disciple of every form of arts and entertainment—from music, film and fine art to theater, literature and dance.”