ROME - Over the course of two decades in the industry, Lionsgate Television chairman Kevin Beggs has witnessed the ups and downs of a business that has frequently found itself confronting both dizzying new possibilities as well as existential threats. But these days the veteran exec, who oversees the development of all scripted and non-scripted content for the company, is energized by the prospects for what he calls the “platinum era” of television.“The new streamers coming into the market are obviously...
Lionsgate Television
Kevin
Beggs
Chairman, TV Group / Chief Content Integration Officer
Beggs has kept Lionsgate’s television division humming this year despite the company’s rough ride on Wall Street: 13 new series orders, seven pilots picked up to series and all seven of last year’s freshmen series renewed for second seasons. That has required some creative dealmaking: After NBC axed comedy “Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist,” Beggs orchestrated a deal with Roku for a holiday-themed movie based on the property. He secured high-profile partnerships for Lionsgate over the past year, including “The 1619 Project” docuseries for Hulu, produced with Oprah Winfrey, Nikole Hannah-Jones and New York Times; a broad pact with BBC Studios to scout for formats and other forms of IP to develop for the U.S. market; and a renewed production deal with prolific reality producer Craig Piligian.