Factual TV Exec Michael Kot Leaving Entertainment One to Launch Saloon Media

9:53 AM PDT 3/13/2013 by Etan Vlessing

0
8
0
0
0
Email
Print
Comments

Loren Mawhinney will fill in on an interim basis, while Tara Long continues overseeing reality operations in the U.S. from the Canadian producer's L.A. office.

TORONTO - Entertainment One Television factual TV topper Michael Kot is leaving the Canadian producer.

Entertainment One Acquires Canadian Rights to David Hewlett Thriller 'Debug'

Entertainment One Unveils Canadian Leadership

Kot, senior vp factual entertainment, is launching a TV production shingle, Saloon Media, with a two-year overall deal with Entertainment One in hand.

STORY: Entertainment One/Alliance Films Merger Results in More Departures

During an interim period, Loren Mawhinney, vp factual entertainment, will take over Kot’s duties. Tara Long will continue overseeing reality operations in the U.S. from the company’s Los Angeles office.

Kot joined the Canadian producer’s TV division in 2010 to grow its factual TV arm and has among his credits D-Day to Victory, Sugar Stars, Builder Boss, Storming Juno and Mega Builders.

Kot will continue to serve as executive producer on such Entertainment One shows as Martian Invasions, Korea Hill, Dangerous Persuasions/Brainwashed and Perfect Storms.

Saloon Media will look to draw in partners from the U.K. and North America to make returnable factual series and TV specials.

Before joining Entertainment One, Kot was vp original factual content for Canwest Global Communications Corp. channels that included Global Television, History Television, Mystery and National Geographic Canada.