ITV America has promoted veteran unscripted producer Simon Thomas to President of ITV Entertainment and Head of International Programming while elevating Michelle Byars to SVP of Development at ITV Entertainment. The appointments at ITV Entertainment, which is one of six production labels under parent company ITV America, are part of an “enhanced commitment to making global formats and international production the keystone of its strategic growth plan,” said the company.
In the new role, Thomas, who formerly served as executive VP of current programming, will oversee ITV Entertainment’s development and production slate of originals and international formats. He will also oversee the production of any ITV America series sold to US buyers and produced abroad. He will report to ITV America CCO David Eilenberg. “With Simon leading ITV Entertainment and spearheading international for ITV America, and Michelle driving development, ITVE is perfectly positioned to bring exciting new formats and franchises to buyers and audiences worldwide," Eilenberg said.
During his time at ITV America, Thomas has executive produced all three seasons of the US version of Love Island. He has also worked on series such as "My Mom, Your Dad" and the upcoming "Rat in the Kitchen" series. Before joining ITV America, he worked on formats including the UK version of "I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here!", the original UK iteration of "Love Island," and the Australian versions of "Big Brother" and "Beauty and the Geek." “Simon has worked on some of the biggest successes in unscripted, steering shows in the US and abroad, and navigating international IP domestically,” said ITV America CEO David George.
Meanwhile, Byars will lead ITV Entertainment’s slate of series in the works and develop and adapt global formats for the US market. Before joining ITV Entertainment, Byars was at Turner Entertainment. She worked on the relaunch of TBS’s unscripted business with shows such as "Drop the Mic," "Snoop Dogg Presents," "The Joker’s Wild," "The Misery Index," and "Shaq Life."
