TelevisionJuly 31, 2019
WHSTV Elevates Leigh London Redman to EVP, Scripted Programming, and Names Kevin E. Fortson (Production) and Matt Matzkin (Business Affairs) to Newly Created EVP Positions for Both WHSTV and WHUTV(July 31, 2019 Burbank, CA) Warner Horizon Scripted Television (WHSTV) the division of the Warner Bros. Television Group which produces original scripted primetime programming for on-demand/streaming platforms as well as basic cable channels today announced that Leigh London Redman has been elevated to a newly created position of Executive Vice President, Scripted Programming. Additionally, Kevin E. Fortson (production) and Matt Matzkin (business affairs) have been promoted to newly created Executive Vice President posts in Production and Business Affairs for both Warner Horizon Scripted Television as well as Warner Horizon Unscripted Television.
London Redman, Fortson and Matzkin report to Warner Bros. Television and Warner Horizon Scripted Television Presidents Susan Rovner and Brett Paul. On unscripted matters, Fortson and Matzkin report to Mike Darnell, President, Warner Bros. Unscripted and Alternative Television. Rovner, Paul and Darnell all report to Warner Bros. Television Group President & Chief Content Officer Peter Roth.
Susan Rovner and Brett Paul said: As we enter into a time of great opportunity in the entertainment industry, with the demand for compelling, breakthrough content at an all-time high, we are incredibly fortunate to have such supremely talented and highly respected executives like Leigh, Kevin and Matt leading the team at Warner Horizon Scripted Television. Leighs impeccable taste in material and ability to collaborate with our artists has greatly expanded our possibilities for success, allowing WHSTV to expand its footprint and seamlessly transition into the multiplatform digital future. Kevin and Matt are also continually innovating, with Kevin finding ways to maximize production resources in an environment that demands nothing less than the highest on-screen production values. Matt combines creativity with tenacity and the desire to make the best deals possible for the company, with a sense of fairness and respect in an ultra-competitive marketplace. These promotions are truly and richly deserved.
Scripted Programming
As Executive Vice President, Scripted Programming, Leigh London Redman will spearhead day-to-day creative affairs activities related to all original scripted programming including dramas, comedies, event series and more produced by WHSTV. In this role, she is responsible for overseeing development of new television shows and supervising current programming efforts for existing series. As of July 2019, WHSTV is producing 13 series under London Redmans supervision: Animal Kingdom and Claws for TNT; Cherish the Day, David Makes Man and Queen Sugar for OWN; The Flight Attendant for HBO Max, WarnerMedias forthcoming streaming service; Fuller House, Medical Police and You for Netflix; Krypton for SYFY; Pennyworth for EPIX; Pretty Little Liars: The Perfectionists for Freeform; and The Right Stuff for National Geographic.
Prior to her promotion, London Redman had served as Senior Vice President, Scripted Programming, since 2015. She joined the company in 2010 as Vice President, Scripted Programming. In addition to WHSTVs 13 current series which were developed during her tenure, London Redman was also involved in the development of previous programs such as Dallas and Longmire, among others, during her time at the Studio. Before joining WHSTV, London Redman worked in drama development at CBS Television Studios and contributed to the development of The Good Wife, Hawaii Five-0, 90210, Jericho and Swingtown, among many other series. She began her entertainment career at the Agency for the Performing Arts.
Production and Business Affairs
As Executive Vice President, Production, Kevin E. Fortson will oversee all aspects of physical production including budgeting, scheduling, staffing and more for series produced by WHSTV. Fortson also oversees WHSTVs production staff, which manages the activities of more than a dozen shows across seven cities in three different countries.
In his role as Executive Vice President, Business Affairs, Matt Matzkin serves as the top business executive for the production unit, serving as its lead dealmaker. He is charged with negotiating or supervising negotiations for WHSTVs pacts with creative talent including performers, producers, writers and directors as well as spearheading license agreements with the on-demand/streaming platforms and cable companies for WHSTVs programming. Matzkin also manages the business affairs team.
In addition to their responsibilities for scripted programming, both Fortson and Matzkin also supervise production and business affairs matters, respectively, for reality programming produced by Warner Horizon Unscripted Television, a unit of Warner Bros. Unscripted and Alternative Television, led by Mike Darnell. In this capacity, Fortson and Matzkin work closely with Brooke Karzen, Executive Vice President and Head of Warner Horizon Unscripted Television. Unscripted series produced by the division include The Bachelor franchise including The Bachelorette and Bachelor in Paradise for ABC, as well as Ellens Game of Games, Ellens Greatest Night of Giveaways, the upcoming Little Big Shots with Melissa McCarthy, and The Voice for NBC.
Prior to being elevated to EVP, Fortson served as Senior Vice President, Production, WHTV, since 2006, shortly after the division was formed. Before that, he had served as Senior Vice President, Operations, Warner Bros. Studio Facilities (WBSF), sinc
