YouTube hires Fox veteran to boost unscripted

YouTube has hired Fox veteran Alex Piper to head up unscripted as it continues to shift its programming strategy.

Piper was formerly VP of alternative programming at Fox, where he led development on series such as So You Think You Can Dance, Hell’s Kitchen and Cosmos.

He joins as YouTube winds down its big-budget scripted offering and moves forward with a strategy which will see it focus on unscripted.

The exec will report to head of original content Susanne Daniels. In his new role he will work with YouTube creators to develop and produce programming that spans across genres and oversee all live entertainment events at YouTube.

Daniels welcomed Piper in a memo to staff on Monday (15 April) and said: “Alex is arriving at the perfect time as we are gearing up to build and announce a new slate of series and specials centered on music, edu-tainment, creators and some amazing lighthouse series that will reach a global audience via our new dual distribution strategy.”

The platform has axed a string of scripted programmes in recent weeks including Origin, Overthinking with Kat & June, Ryan Hansen Solves Crimes on Television and Champaign ILL.