ITVS America eyes rejig as president exits

ITV Studios America president Orly Adelson has resigned, as ITV Studios US Group prepares to restructure.

Adelson joined ITVS America in January 2014 after leaving her role as president of Dick Clark Productions.

No official reason was given for her departure after 18 months in the post, but it is understood ITV Studios will not replace her.

Instead, ITV’s global production arm is close to appointing a replacement for ITV Studios US Group CEO and president Paul Buccieri, who left recently to become president of A+E Networks channels History and A&E.

Kevin Lygo will oversee Adelson’s role in the interim, with the new executive effectively taking on both her and Buccieri’s roles.

This hire is part of a restructuring that will see increased focus on scripted and unscripted production. After a series of acquisitions, ITVS is now the largest independent supplier of unscripted shows in the US.

“ITV Studios America’s continued expansion in both scripted and unscripted coupled with Orly Adelson’s decision to step down as president, provides us with the opportunity to restructure the business to better reflect our growth and ambitions for the future,” said an ITVS spokesperson.

“We would like to wish Orly the very best as she moves on with her plans in live, reality television and scripted production.”

At LA-based ITVS America, Adelson oversaw all operations on both on the east and west coasts and the firm’s slate of shows, which include Hell’s Kitchen and The First 48.

She also launched the firm’s scripted unit, which spawned current NBC drama Aquarius, and developed the American version of ITV show Saturday Night Takeaway, a variety show for NBC called Best Time Ever.

In related news, Aquarius, which NBC had given an inventive multiplatform broadcasting structure, has been moved to Saturdays. This is despite the series gaining critical recognition and a second season.