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BBC Studios unscripted exec Jenny Groom is heading to Amazon MGM Studios, where she’s been named head of MGM Alternative. Groom will report to Amazon MGM Studios nonfiction head Jenn Levy, who made the announcement
Wednesday.
In a memo to staff, Levy said Groom will oversee MGM titles including “Survivor,” “Shark Tank” and “The Voice” and also develop new formats and series for Prime Video and third-party outlets.
“Bringing in someone with Jenny’s extensive experience, on both the buying and selling side of the business, positions MGM Alternative as a key creative asset for our unscripted ambitions and reinforces our commitment to developing and selling shows all around town,” Levy wrote in her note.
Groom has most recently served as exec VP of unscripted development at BBC Studios, which she joined last year. At BBC Studios, Groom developed Fox’s “Nation’s Dumbest” and ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro.”
Before that, she was exec VP of unscripted programming at NBCUniversal, where she oversaw formats like “The Traitors” and “Love Island.” Her portfolio also included “The Voice,” “America’s Got Talent,” “American Ninja Warrior,” “The Wall,” “Password” with Keke Palmer, “Baking It” with Amy Poehler and “That’s My Jam” with Jimmy Fallon.
Also at NBCU, she worked closely with talent including Kelly Clarkson, Simon Cowell, Sofia Vergara, Ariana Grande, Blake Shelton and John Legend. Beyond NBCU, she consulted with companies including Reese Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine and Kevin Hart’s Hartbeat Productions.
Here’s Levy’s memo to staff:
Team,
I’m thrilled to share that Jenny Groom is joining us as Head of MGM Alternative, reporting to me. Jenny will oversee our legacy franchises, including “Survivor,” “Shark Tank” and “The Voice,” as well as our format library, which remains active around the world. She’ll also focus on developing new formats and series for our Prime Video slate and driving third-party sales.
Bringing in someone with Jenny’s extensive experience on both the buying and selling side of the business positions MGM Alternative as a key creative asset for our unscripted ambitions and reinforces our commitment to developing and selling shows all around town.
Jenny brings 20+ years as one of unscripted TV’s most respected creative leaders. Most recently, as EVP of Unscripted Development at BBC Studios, she developed and executive produced “Nation’s Dumbest” (Fox’s No. 1 summer launch in four years, greenlit for Season 2) and “Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro” (ABC/Hulu — No. 1 summer launch in six years). She also led the team in securing multiple development and pilot deals across broadcast and streaming platforms.
Across nearly two decades at NBCUniversal, most recently as EVP of Unscripted Programming, she commissioned the multi-Emmy-winning “The Traitors” and “Love Island,” as well as oversaw the slate that kept NBC #1 in unscripted, including “The Voice,” “America’s Got Talent” and “American Ninja Warrior.” She’s also an EP on Netflix’s “Funny AF with Kevin Hart,” returning for Season 2, and has built many deep relationships with top talent.
Please join me in giving Jenny a warm welcome. I couldn’t be more excited about what she’ll bring to our team and the future of our slate.
Jenny will start after Thanksgiving on Monday, 11/30.
Jenn Levy
Head of Nonfiction at Amazon MGM Studios
