YouTube continues to ramp up its focus on original programming, hiring two entertainment executives to spearhead its YouTube Red Originals content division.
Former WGN EVP of Scripted Programming Jon Wax is joining YouTube as head of Drama, Scripted and Current Programming, along with Angela Courtin, former EVP and Chief Marketing Officer at FOX. Courtin will become Global Head of YouTube TV and Originals Marketing.
Wax joined WGN in 2013, and worked on series like “Salem,” and “Manhattan.” Before that, He spent 15 years on the Fox lot, where he was involved in a number of shows, including “Prison Break,” “24,” and “Malcolm in the Middle.”
At the same time, Dustin Davis was promoted to Head of Comedy Development and Current Programming. Davis had worked on “Black-ish,” and “Last Man Standing” at ABC, before joining YouTube last year.
Wax and Davis will report to Susan Daniels, Global Head of Original Content at YouTube.
YouTube Red costs $10 a month and gives subscribers access to YouTube Red Original Series and a bevy of movies. The service is available in the US, Australia, New Zealand, Mexico and Korea. The Google-owned streaming service has been aiming to boost its slate of original content moving forward.
Daniels shared a look at some of YouTube Red’s upcoming content with the Television Critics Association earlier this month, including a reboot of “Karate Kid.” The 10-episode series will debut in 2018.