Katherine Pope is departing Chernin Entertainment to launch a television division at Jeff Robinov’s Studio 8, Variety has confirmed.
As head of the company’s new TV department, Pope will work closely with Robinov as she builds and oversees Studio 8’s television business from the ground up.
The former Chernin television prez oversaw all development and production for the 20th Century Fox-based company, where she worked on Fox’s “New Girl.”
Previously, she spent a decade at NBC and NBC Universal Television Studios where she held the posts of network EVP and studio president, and developed series including “The Office,” “30 Rock,” “Friday Night Lights,” “Heroes,” “Chuck,” “Psych,” “Battlestar Galactica” and “American Dreams.” She started her entertainment career in network news and CBS and ABC News, producing documentaries. She also was a writer and producer on “Behind the Music.”
The Sony Pictures Entertainment-based Studio 8 was funded in partnership with the Chinese investment management firm Fosun Group, securing $1 billion in financing. Sony will distribute up to six films worldwide annually, with Ang Lee’s “Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk” an initial project set up at the company.
The Hollywood Reporter first reported the news of Studio 8’s television division launch.
