NUVOtv beefs up Programming Team.
February 15, 2013
NUVOtv announced that cable veteran Bill Hilary has joined the network as Head of Programming. Hilary will oversee all aspects of the network’s programming, including development, production, acquisitions and scheduling. Hilary will be based in Los Angeles and report to Michael Schwimmer, CEO of NUVOtv.
Hilary will work closely with the network’s new creative and business partner, Jennifer Lopez, and her television production company, Nuyorican Productions. In the fall of 2012, NUVOtv announced a landmark partnership with superstar performer and celebrity icon, Jennifer Lopez. Hilary is the first senior executive hire to be announced as part of the network’s expanding management team.
“I’m thrilled to join NUVOtv as the network begins to accelerate its programming investment and growth”, said Hilary. “NUVOtv is ready to take advantage of a truly unprecedented opportunity, with its large and fast-growing target Latino audience, a powerful new partnership with Jennifer Lopez, and the resources to deliver unique entertainment that is both in demand and missing from mainstream networks.”
Hilary immediately augmented his team by appointing Lynnette Ramirez as Vice President of Programming. A long-time programming executive, Ramirez was most recently Senior Vice President – Development with George Lopez Presents, the television production company of actor and comedian George Lopez. Ramirez will report to Hilary, as will Vice President of Programming Sara Auspitz, formerly of Endemol and Turner’s TBS network.
Jennifer Lopez commented, “At NUVOtv, our goal is to become the premiere Modern Latino entertainment destination. I’m very pleased to be working with Bill as a creative partner who shares our vision to build NUVOtv into the leading network in America for English-speaking Latinos.”
“Bill Hilary is a great addition to the NUVOtv management team as we move into this next phase of our network’s growth,” commented Michael Schwimmer. “With more than two decades of senior level programming and business experience across diverse networks, genres and even countries, Bill is the complete package. He is a strategic and creative thinker, with proven success in the cable industry and content development for niche audiences.”
Prior to joining NUVOtv, Hilary was Chief Operating Officer at World Television Productions International and before then, President of Magna Global Entertainment, Interpublic Group. Hilary’s 20 plus years of television experience also includes his roles as Chief Executive Officer of BBC America and Executive Vice President and General Manager of Comedy Central, both cable networks where Hilary oversaw record-setting ratings growth.
Among Hilary’s many creative and development accomplishments are highly successful talent-driven properties on television, including the Emmy-nominated sketch comedy hit “The Dave Chapelle Show,” one of the most successful sketch comedy franchises in cable television history, breaking commercial records for DVD sales as well. Hilary also championed the early inclusion of Latino comedians at Comedy Central, including stand-up and specials from such talents as Johnny Sanchez, Pablo Francisco, and Carlos Mencia, the latter which set the stage for the highly acclaimed “Mind Of Mencia” series.
At BBC America, Hilary launched a number of culture-defining hits, including Little Britain, Kitchen Nightmares with Gordon Ramsay, Robin Hood, and Footballers Wives, among others.