CBS names Europe copro chief

The international studios arm of US broadcaster CBS has named a new coproductions chief in Europe.

Meghan Lyvers will switch from her current role as senior VP, cable and digital at CBS Television Studios in the US, and will become SVP, coproductions and development at CBS Studios International.

She will relocate to CBSSI’s EMEA head office in EMEA, and jointly report to CBSSI president and CEO Armando Nuñez and CBS TV Studios president David Stapf.

Lyvers will develop new programming for CBS TV Studios in the US and international markets. She will acquire new formats, identify potential copros and mine the CBS library for original shows for the channel’s broadcast and streaming partners.

CBS noted part of her role would be working with CBS TV Studios roster of writers and producers to create content for international platforms.

The role is similar to that Keli Lee, who works as managing director of international content and talent for CBS rival ABC. Lee is based out of London and works on finding talent and formats that can be produced either internationally, the US or both.

NBCUniversal, meanwhile, has had a production presence in Europe for a significant period, and Fox Networks Group is currently working up its first European drama, The Nine.

“The global marketplace continues to grow with more platforms and more demand for programming which, in turn, opens up significant opportunities for premium content providers like CBS,” said Nuñez. “Meghan will be a great asset to our international operation as we continue to expand our content portfolio and serve our clients’ programming needs.”

Lyvers heads to Europe having joined CBS in 2014 as SVP of drama development, a role in which she developed series such as MacGyver, Bull and Crazy Ex-Girlfriend.

Before CBS, she established the TV division at US-based Management 360, working on shows such as AMC’s upcoming drama The Terror.

She was also VP, development and production at Robert De Niro’s Tribeca Productions, working on both films and television, and the establishment of the Tribeca Film Festival and Tribeca Film Institute.