Lifetime Appoints Two Programming VPs in Unscripted

Lifetime has tapped two new vps in reality programming.

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Kimberly Chessler, a three-year veteran of the female-friendly cable net, and truTV's Paul Hardy will both rank as vp in unscripted. They will report to senior vp reality and alternative programming Gena McCarthy, who made the announcement Thursday.

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“Kim has been instrumental in building the Dance Moms franchise into a cultural phenomenon and major hit for Lifetime. I am very pleased to recognize her many contributions to the company with this much-deserved promotion,” said McCarthy. “Paul brings to Lifetime a proven track record, strong relationships in the unscripted space and a unique perspective on where the genre is heading.”

Since joining Lifetime in 2010, Chessler, who was senior director of reality programming, has overseen the development and production of ratings darling Dance Moms -- as well as spinoff Abby’s Ultimate Dance Competition -- Prank My Mom and Preachers’ Daughters.

Chessler came to Lifetime from Oxygen, where she oversaw six seasons of The Bad Girls Club during her decadelong tenure.

Hardy, most recently director of program development at truTV, worked on such unscripted fare as Swamp Hunters, The Weiner’s Circle and Possum Holler Garage as well as Killer Karaoke and Guinness Book of World Records. He previously worked at Embassy Row Productions (Watch What Happens Live) and Endemol USA.