Universal Television Alternative Studio hires Toby Gorman

Toby Gorman

Universal Television Alternative Studio has appointed Magical Elves’ Toby Gorman as president.

The exec, who most recently served as interim CEO for the Tinopolis-owned prodco, succeeds Meredith Ahr, who was promoted to president of NBC Entertainment’s alternative and reality group late last year.

In the new role, Gorman will look after development, domestic sales and creative affairs for the business, while working across production, casting, business affairs and international.

The three-year-old Universal Television Alternative Studio is behind unscripted formats such as Songland, The Wall and Hollywood Game Night.

He will report into Ahr.

While serving as interim CEO for Magical Elves, Gorman was also president of A. Smith & Co. Productions. His exec producer credits in recent years include Nat Geo’s Brain Games reboot with Keegan-Michael Key, Fox’s Mental Samurai and NBC’s The Titan Games.

Prior to A. Smith and Magical Elves, Gorman was EVP of alternative programming at Fremantle North America.

Ahr said: ““We have an incredibly ambitious growth plan for Universal Television Alternative Studio, and Toby is exactly who we want at the helm during this defining time. I have witnessed him in many roles over the years, and time and again he has proven to be a precise developer, a creative producer, and a sharp executive.

“As the breadth of our content and our partnerships throughout the industry continue to expand, Toby’s deep expertise, coupled with the equally important fact that he is one of the most respected executives in the field, make him the perfect fit to lead the studio into its next chapter.”