Sharon Levy Named Endemol Shine North America CEO

Sharon Levy
(Image credit: Endemol Shine North America)

Production company Endemol Shine North America has promoted veteran cable network executive Sharon Levy to CEO.

Levy, who previously served as chief content officer, will manage all aspects of the business and its growth while continuing to lead all of the studio’s programming efforts, according to the Banijay Americas-owned company.

"Sharon is one of the most strategic executives in the business, someone whose creative vision is matched only by her market savvy," Banijay Americas CEO Ben Samek said in a statement. "Over the past five years, she has already positioned Endemol Shine America as a major industry player and unleashed the creativity of her group. I look forward to supporting her as she leads her talented team to new heights." 

Levy joined Endemol Shine North America in 2017 and has launched such hits as Fox’s Lego Masters, TBS’s Wipeout and a new version of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition for HGTV. Prior to joining Endemol Shine, Levy served as executive VP of original series at Spike TV (currently Paramount Network) greenlighting such hit shows as Ink Master, Bar Rescue and Deadliest Warrior.   

Banijay also said Endemol Shine America, which previously served as a holding company on behalf of Banijay Americas, will now operate as an independent production studio alongside Banijay's U.S.-based studios including Bunim/Murray Productions, Truly Original, 51 Minds Entertainment, Authentic Entertainment and Stephen David Entertainment. ■  

R. Thomas Umstead

R. Thomas Umstead serves as senior content producer, programming for Multichannel News, Broadcasting + Cable and Next TV. During his more than 30-year career as a print and online journalist, Umstead has written articles on a variety of subjects ranging from TV technology, marketing and sports production to content distribution and development. He has provided expert commentary on television issues and trends for such TV, print, radio and streaming outlets as Fox News, CNBC, the Today show, USA Today, The New York Times and National Public Radio. Umstead has also filmed, produced and edited more than 100 original video interviews, profiles and news reports featuring key cable television executives as well as entertainers and celebrity personalities.