or


[01/10/12 - 09:16 AM]
Syfy Expands Unscripted Programming Department
Robyn Lattaker-Johnson, Wayne Sampson and Colin Whelan have been named Vice Presidents, Alternative Programming at the cable channel.

[via press release from Syfy]

SYFY EXPANDS UNSCRIPTED PROGRAMMING DEPARTMENT

ROBYN LATTAKER-JOHNSON, WAYNE SAMPSON AND COLIN WHELAN APPOINTED VICE PRESIDENTS, ALTERNATIVE PROGRAMMING

NEW YORK - January 10, 2012 - Syfy has named Robyn Lattaker-Johnson, Wayne Sampson and Colin Whelan as Vice Presidents, Alternative Programming, it was announced today by Tim Krubsack, SVP, Alternative Programming, to whom they will report. Also added to the programming department are Tori Socha and Andrew Whitney, who join as Directors, Alternative Programming.

In making the announcement, Krubsack said: "On the heels of Syfy's most watched year in history, we will be launching a record number of unscripted series in 2012. With their diverse experiences, creative sensibilities and stellar accomplishments, these five very gifted executives will play a key role in shaping that programming expansion and the continuing growth of the Syfy brand."

In their new roles, Lattaker-Johnson, Sampson and Whelan will oversee Syfy's current slate of hit reality series, including Face Off, Ghost Hunters, Fact or Faked: Paranormal Files, Haunted Collector, Paranormal Witness, Hollywood Treasure, and the upcoming Monster Man, Dream Machines and Total Blackout, as well as developing new unscripted projects.

Socha and Whitney will support the programming team, as well as identify new projects for development.

All five executives will be based in Syfy's Los Angeles office.

Prior to joining Syfy, Robyn-Lattaker Johnson was an independent producer, most recently serving as the show runner of Comic View: One Mic Stand. She also served as Senior Vice President, Original Programming, for BET Networks, where she spearheaded the development on some of the network's most successful and acclaimed original series, including American Gangster, Keyshia Cole: The Way It Is, Hell Date, Sunday Best, Baldwin Hills, and Lil' Kim: Countdown to Lockdown. Lattaker-Johnson graduated with an MFA in Film from the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena.

Wayne Sampson joins Syfy from Dick Clark Productions, where he played a key role in expanding the company's reality division as Vice President of Development. Prior to Dick Clark Productions, Sampson worked at the Discovery Channel and Spike TV, where he helped develop series such as Auction Kings, Ghost Lab, Deadliest Warrior, MANswers, The Ultimate Fighter and 1000 Ways to Die. Sampson graduated from the University of Florida with a BA in History and Business Administration.

Colin Whelan was most recently Director of Production / Executive Producer at TLC, where he was responsible for Sarah Palin's Alaska, LA Ink and the network's first successful foray into competition, Ultimate Cake-Off. During his tenure, he also developed and launched NY Ink and Surprise Homecoming. Before joining TLC, Whelan was Vice President, Programming, at Dalaklis McKeown Entertainment. Whelan graduated with an MFA from the UCLA School of Film and TV Producers' Program.

Tori Socha was previously Manager of Development at TLC. In this role, she spearheaded development on series such as Cake Boss, Four Weddings, My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding, Sister Wives, Extreme Couponing and Hoarding: Buried Alive. Prior to TLC Socha worked at Discovery Studios, CBS, and the William Morris Agency. She received her BS in Television, Radio & Film from Syracuse University.

Andrew Whitney joins Syfy from CMT, where he served as Manager of Development for three years. He was instrumental in all phases of development on presentations, pilots, and series, including Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, Top Secret Recipe, Sweet Home Alabama, World's Strictest Parents, Trick My Truck, Country Fried Home Videos, and The Singing Bee. Whitney also worked at Dick Clark Productions, MTV, Magical Elves and Katalyst. He graduated from William & Mary in Virginia.

Syfy is a media destination for imagination-based entertainment. With year round acclaimed original series, events, blockbuster movies, classic science fiction and fantasy programming, a dynamic Web site (www.Syfy.com), and a portfolio of adjacent business (Syfy Ventures), Syfy is a passport to limitless possibilities. Originally launched in 1992 as SCI FI Channel, and currently in more than 98 million homes, Syfy is a network of NBCUniversal, one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies. (Syfy. Imagine greater.)





  [january 2012]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S


· DREAM MACHINES (SYFY)
· FACE OFF (SYFY)
· FACT OR FAKED: PARANORMAL FILES (SYFY)
· GHOST HUNTERS (A AND E)
· HAUNTED COLLECTOR (SYFY)
· HOLLYWOOD TREASURE (SYFY)
· MONSTER MAN (SYFY)
· PARANORMAL WITNESS (SYFY)
· TOTAL BLACKOUT (SYFY)





[11/28/24 - 01:01 AM]
Video: Watch the Spectacular and Intense Trailer for Norwegian Disaster Series "La Palma"
A Norwegian family vacationing on La Palma faces disaster when a young researcher discovers alarming signs of an imminent volcanic eruption.

[11/27/24 - 07:01 PM]
Chinese-Language Period Drama "Perfect Match" to Launch Exclusively and Globally on Netflix
The story follows the five beautiful daughters of the Li family, whose vivacious nature, inherited from their mother, Madame Li, earned them the notorious nickname "The Six Tigers of the Li Family."

[11/27/24 - 05:15 PM]
"Dancing with the Stars" Season 33 Finale Delivers Largest Audience in Over Four Years
Season to date, "Dancing with the Stars" stands as the No. 1 entertainment series among Adults 18-49 (0.77 rating) - the first time for the show to take the top spot for the broadcast season in its entire history.

[11/27/24 - 10:04 AM]
Tom Hardy, Pierce Brosnan and Helen Mirren to Lead New Guy Ritchie Project for Paramount+ with Showtime
The project is an electrifying, new global crime series centered around two warring families based in London whose enterprises stretch all corners of the globe and the fiercely loyal "fixer" charged with protecting one of them at all costs.

[11/27/24 - 08:00 AM]
"ChiefsAholic: A Wolf in Chiefs Clothing" Premieres Exclusively on Prime Video on December 24
The true-crime documentary about Kansas City Chiefs superfan and serial bank robber Xaviar Babudar, features unprecedented interview footage with Babudar following his initial arrest, prior to him removing his ankle monitor and going on the run.

[11/27/24 - 07:09 AM]
Discovery Channel December Programming Highlights
This December, new Episodes of "Contraband: Seized at the Airport," "Expedition Files," "Game Changers," "Gold Rush," "Homestead Rescue," "The Last Woodsmen," "Mystery at Blind Frog Ranch," and "Mystery of the Abandoned" premiere on Discovery Channel.

[11/27/24 - 05:59 AM]
Video: Check Out the Official Teaser Trailer for New Medical Mystery Drama "Watson," Starring Morris Chestnut
A 60-second version of the trailer will air during the Chicago Bears vs. Detroit Lions NFL Thanksgiving game Thursday, November 28, on CBS, with the full version available online.

[11/27/24 - 03:09 AM]
Sneak Peek at the Brand New, Psychological Crime Thriller, "The Crow Girl," Coming Soon to Paramount+ UK
The series is produced by Buccaneer Media and distributed by ITV Studios.

[11/27/24 - 02:01 AM]
Video: First Look Revealed for Third Explosive Instalment of Sky Original "Gangs of London", Coming 2025
As chaos erupts in London after a spiked shipment of cocaine kills hundreds, fan-favourite characters collide with new faces bound by blood ties, sparking brutal power struggles, unexpected alliances, and fierce rivalries.

[11/26/24 - 05:01 PM]
"The Summer Hikaru Died" Set to Bring Eerie Anime Thrills to Netflix
A chilling blend of slice of life and the supernatural, Yoshiki's life is thrown upside down when his best friend Hikaru is replaced by "something" that looks and acts just like him.

[11/26/24 - 04:55 PM]
"Abbott Elementary" Season 4 Return Skyrockets +321% in Total Viewers and +846% in Adults 18-49 Over Initial Live+Same Day Audience
The season four premiere of "Abbott Elementary" stands as the top multiplatform telecast in both Total Viewers and Adults 18-49 since the show's post-Oscars episode (3/10/24).

[11/26/24 - 03:01 PM]
Video: New Games, New Stakes - "Squid Game" Season 2 Main Trailer and Key Art "Round and Round" Unveiled
With its premiere just around the corner on December 26, the trailer delivers an electrifying glimpse into the deadly games and gripping character dynamics that await fans worldwide.

[11/26/24 - 02:34 PM]
Video: Paramount+ with Showtime Debuts Official Trailer for Showtime's "Dexter: Original Sin"
The series premieres Friday, December 13 on streaming and on demand for Paramount+ subscribers with the Paramount+ with Showtime plan, before making its on-air US debut on Sunday, December 15 at 10pm ET/PT.

[11/26/24 - 01:15 PM]
ABC News' "Nightline" Ranks No. 1 in Total Viewers, Adults 25-54 and Adults 18-49 vs. CBS' "After Midnight" and NBC's "Late Night with Seth Meyers"
"Nightline" posted double-digit gains week to week across the board, hitting a 6-week high in overall viewers and 7-week highs in both key Adult demos.

[11/26/24 - 12:31 PM]
Netflix Orders Limited-Series Adaptation of Harlan Coben's "I Will Find You"
An innocent father serving life for the murder of his own son receives evidence that his child may still be alive - and must break out of prison to find out the truth.