Scripps Howard Forms New TV Programming Unit

Newspaper publisher E.W. Scripps Co., through its TV station subsidiary Scripps Howard Broadcasting, has formed Scripps Howard Productions to develop programming. Scripps has recruited former CBS News and Sports executive David Percelay and NBC programmer Michele Brustin to head the unit. The new division hopes to produce shows for networks, syndication, cable and the international marketplace.

Gregg Maday is the new senior vice president of movies and miniseries at Warner Bros. Television. He also continues his duties as senior vice president of programming for Warner’s Prime Time Entertainment Network.

Maday will oversee long-form projects at Lorimar Television in his new position. He previously oversaw productions such as “Sinatra” and “Alex Haley’s Queen.”

As expected, former Fox TV executive Stephen Chao has joined old boss Barry Diller’s home shopping empire QVC Networks to produce shows and find products “with a distinct California point of view.” Chao, who has a film development deal at Fox, will also act as an overall consultant for QVC.

Michael Yudin

Viacom Entertainment Group has named Michael Yudin senior vice president of sponsored programming and co-production. He will oversee the packaging of programs for all TV markets. Yudin previously worked at Reeves Entertainment.

Ricky Strauss has been named vice president of creative advertising at TriStar Pictures.

Paul Brinberg is the new director of strategic planning for EMI Records Group, North America.