Showtime Networks, Inc. (SNI) has hired ABC Entertainment’s Jana Winograde for the newly created role of president of Business Operations, West Coast.
When she joins the company in mid-August, Winograde will oversee the network’s production, program operations and business affairs teams, as well as lead the financial and business strategy relating to the acquisition, development and distribution.
Additionally, SNI has promoted Steve Rogers to executive vice president of Business Affairs — he’ll succeed Melinda Benedek when she retires at the end of this year. In that role, Rogers will serve as the company’s chief negotiator for original productions and manage the Showtime business affairs team on the West Coast.
“Jana is a tremendous addition to our leadership team, bringing an impeccable reputation as one of the industry’s most thoughtful business executives and dealmakers,” SNI president and CEO David Nevins said. “She is perfectly suited to help broaden the ongoing evolution of Showtime — from its roots in domestic premium cable into a dynamic, global content company, with revenue sources across a broad array of worldwide platforms.”
On Rogers, he added: “Steve possesses a wealth of experience, strong relationships within the industry and a deep knowledge of the intricacies that must be navigated to bring deals from theory to reality in our competitive marketplace.”
Winograde spent 23 years in various senior roles at ABC Entertainment. She was most recently an EVP and the head of its Business Operations. In that gig, Winograde oversaw the network’s business endeavors, including managing the operating, development and programming budgets. She also oversaw business related to the development and acquisition of all primetime, daytime and late-night programming for ABC and first-run syndication.
Additionally, Winograde managed the business aspects of the music department, which sets music policy and handles music business affairs for ABC, Disney Channel Worldwide, Disney Consumer Product and Disney Theme Parks and Resorts.
Rogers previously served as an SVP in Showtime’s Business Affairs department. He was responsible for negotiating studio, talent and producer deals along with program licensing agreements for a number of original series. Rogers also spearheaded Showtime Networks’ business affairs relationships with Lionsgate Television, Fox 21 Television Studios and ABC Signature Studios.
Prior to joining Showtime in 1996, Rogers worked for MGM/UA and Columbia Pictures.