Fox Alternative Exec Jumps to Wilshire Studios

Fox Alternative Exec Jumps Wilshire Studios — Courtesy of Paul Drinkwater/NBC

Wilshire Studios is bolstering its development and programming executive ranks.

Former Fox senior vp alternative Lisa Levenson has joined the unscripted-focused studio as executive vp development and programming, reporting to new Wilshire Studios president Dawn Olmstead.

Levenson helps fill the void created earlier this summer when senior vp development BJ Levin departed Wilshire Studios to return to producing. Levenson’s exec vp role is a new one for the studio.

Levenson, who was brought in ahead of Olmstead’s promotion to president at Wilshire, brings years of experience with her to the new position. The executive was instrumental in creating the soap opera elements of The Bachelor and the gameplay behind Big Brother. During her four years at Fox, her department oversaw series including Hell’s Kitchen, MasterChef, Beat Shazam, American Grit and live events including The Passion and New Year’s Eve with Pitbull.

Before joining Fox, she spent 13 seasons as an exec producer on The Bachelor and The Bachelorette.

Levenson joins Wilshire as the NBCUniversal Entertainment-based studio is focused on partnering with top producers, including Errol Morris, Kirby Dick and Joe Berlinger, among others. The studio’s first Netflix project, The Curious Creations of Christine McConnell, is now streaming. Wilshire’s roster includes Oxygen’s reboot of Mysteries and Scandals, hosted by Soledad O’Brien, and E!’s upcoming talk show Busy Tonight.

Olmstead earned solo oversight of Wilshire Studios (and scripted arm Universal Cable Productions) on Oct. 16 after serving as co-president of both alongside George Cheeks. When Cheeks was promoted alongside Paul Telegdy to replace Bob Greenblatt as co-chairmen of NBC Entertainment, Olmstead earned solo oversight of Wilshire and UCP.

Here Olmstead’s memo to staff announcing Levenson’s hiring:

Please join me in welcoming Lisa Levenson to the Wilshire Studios family. In her new role Lisa will serve as Executive Vice President, Development and Programming, Wilshire Studios.

Lisa is an award-winning television producer and executive. A pioneer in unscripted programming, she has created and overseen multiple landmark series and specials. Notably, she was instrumental in creating the soap opera elements of “The Bachelor” and the storytelling and gameplay that elevated “Big Brother.”

Most recently, Lisa was Senior Vice President, Alternative Programming, at Fox. There her department oversaw several successful series such as “Hell’s Kitchen,” “Master Chef” and “Beat Shazam,” and major television events including “The Passion” and Fox’s New Year’s Eve franchise with Pitbull. Lisa also oversaw new additions to feel-good reality including “American Grit” with John Cena.

Previously, as an executive producer for 13 seasons, Lisa provided the creative spine for “The Bachelor” and “The Bachelorette.” Later she was the EVP of Programming and Development at Cineflix Productions, the producer of “American Pickers” and “Property Brothers.”

After majoring in radio, television and film at the University of Texas, Lisa’s first break was as a producer on “The Jerry Springer Show.” She then moved on to “General Hospital” where her work earned her two Daytime Emmy Awards.

A musical theater buff, Lisa lives in Los Angeles with her husband who also works in reality television. Even though he’s worked with Gordon Ramsay for nearly 15 years, Lisa prefers a good pizza to a Michelin-starred restaurant.

Welcome to the team, Lisa!