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[08/11/08 - 12:38 PM]
CBS Paramount Network Television Expands Cable Programming Unit
Former CBS and Discovery executive Jim McKairnes joins the studio as Senior Vice President, Cable Development and Strategic Planning.
[via press release from CBS]

CBS PARAMOUNT NETWORK TELEVISION EXPANDS CABLE PROGRAMMING UNIT

Jim McKairnes Joins Studio as Senior Vice President, Cable Development and Strategic Planning

CBS Paramount Network Television announced plans today to expand its original programming operation for basic and pay cable platforms, naming former CBS and Discovery executive Jim McKairnes to the position of Senior Vice President, Cable Development and Strategic Planning. The announcement was made by David Stapf, President, CBS Paramount Network Television, to whom McKairnes will report.

In this newly created position, McKairnes will oversee the cable unit's expansion into comedy, working alongside Bela Bajaria, Senior Vice President, Cable Programming and Movies, who continues to oversee the unit's successful drama development.

In addition, McKairnes will concentrate on identifying international formats and multi-platform opportunities for the U.S cable marketplace. CBS Paramount ramped up its cable programming unit in 2006 when Bajaria moved over from the CBS Television Network to assume her current role.

The Studio recently launched "The Cleaner," A&E's first original series in six years, starring Benjamin Bratt. Additionally, CBS Paramount produced a two-hour pilot "Revolution," for Sci-Fi from Ed Redlich, John Bellucci and Simon West. Drama series in development include "Bicoastal" for Showtime, "Covenants" at FX, "Sheiks of Polk County" at AMC and the comedy "Jingle" for Showtime. CBS Paramount also produced the Emmy-nominated and critically acclaimed series "The 4400" for USA Networks.

"I worked with Jim for years on the network side and have always admired and respected his intuition for what makes good programming and for what audiences want to watch" said Stapf. "His experience in both the cable and network arenas will help set the course for our exploration into new creative ways to take advantage of today's media landscape."

Added Stapf: "The demand for original programming on cable networks is growing; our goal is to service those needs and develop valuable content assets for the Company in the process." McKairnes spent 13 years at CBS, beginning in Current Programming before rising to Senior Vice President of Program Planning and Scheduling.

In addition to his very successful run at CBS, he led scheduling and planning operations at Discovery Communications for all of its 11 networks.

CBS Paramount Network Television has become one of the largest producers (co-producer) of primetime broadcast programming with 26 shows on CBS, The CW, NBC and A&E. The diverse roster of popular and critically-acclaimed series includes CBS's phenomenally successful CSI franchise; worldwide favorite "NCIS;" Friday's #1 show "Numb3rs;" NBC's top-rated series "Medium," starring Emmy Award-winning actress Patricia Arquette; the critically-acclaimed comedies "Everybody Hates Chris," from comic Chris Rock and "The Game," which ranks among the top shows among African-American viewers. This summer, the Studio launched three original series: "Swingtown" and "Flashpoint" for CBS and "The Cleaner," starring Benjamin Bratt, for A&E. CBS Paramount Network Television is a division of CBS Corporation.





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· 4400, THE (USA)
· CLEANER, THE (A AND E)
· REVOLUTION (SYFY)




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