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Lifetime Entertainment Services Names Former WB Network Executive Maria Grasso to Newly Created Position of Senior Vice President, Series Development
NEW YORK, Dec. 15 -- In her first significant step toward
bringing new talent to the Network since becoming Lifetime Television
Entertainment President in September, Susanne Daniels has named Maria Grasso,
the architect of popular, groundbreaking WB Network series such as "Everwood,"
"One Tree Hill" and "Jack & Bobby," to the newly created position of Senior
Vice President, Series Development.
In this role, Grasso will oversee the development of all scripted
programming for Lifetime Television. Based in Los Angeles, she will report to
Daniels.
"We're thrilled to have someone as highly regarded and well-respected as
Maria taking on this responsibility. As our network embraces a wider vista of
programming targeting a broader range of women viewers, Maria's talent,
creativity and remarkable record of success at every stop along her career
make her the ideal person to help build Lifetime's primetime schedule," said
Daniels.
"Working for the premier women's network was an irresistible opportunity
that I simply couldn't refuse. I'm excited to apply my experiences in
developing drama and comedy series in both broadcast and cable television to
this challenge of expanding Lifetime's programming into new areas," said
Grasso.
Maria Grasso
Grasso joined The WB in 2001 as Senior Vice President, Drama Development,
where her duties included developing primetime series such as "Supernatural,"
"Everwood," "One Tree Hill" and "Jack & Bobby". Prior to that, she was
Executive Vice President, Development, for Will Vinton Studios, supervising
the productions of "The PJs" and "Gary and Mike," among other
responsibilities.
From 1997-99, she was Senior Vice President, Comedy Development, at Warner
Brothers Television. During this period, Grasso developed primetime comedy
series including "Jesse," "Norm," "Baby Blues" and "The Oblongs".
As Senior Vice President, Comedy Development for Universal Television from
1994-97, she was instrumental in developing the comedy series "Partners" and
"Something So Right." Grasso joined the company in 1992 at Director, Comedy
Development.
Grasso began her career at MTV Networks in 1987, where her positions
through 1992 included Director of Development at Comedy Central.
She is a graduate of Gettysburg College (PA), earning a Bachelor of Arts
in 1986.
LIFETIME is the leader in women's television and one of the top-rated
basic cable television networks. A diverse, multi-media company, LIFETIME is
committed to offering the highest quality entertainment and information
programming, and advocating a wide range of issues affecting women and their
families. Launched in 1984, LIFETIME serves more than 89 million households
nationwide. In 1998, LIFETIME launched Lifetime Movie Network, now in nearly
50 million homes, and in 2001, Lifetime Real Women. LIFETIME Television,
Lifetime Movie Network, Lifetime Real Women, Lifetime Home Entertainment,
Lifetime Radio for Women and Lifetime Online are part of LIFETIME
Entertainment Services, a 50/50 joint venture of The Hearst Corporation and
The Walt Disney Company.
SOURCE Lifetime Television
Web Site: http://www.lifetimetv.com
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