Television
August 22, 2006
TV Veteran Jim Paratore To Launch paraMedia Inc.
(August 22, 2006 – Burbank, CA) – Highly respected television veteran Jim Paratore will launch a full-service television production company, paraMedia inc., which will have an exclusive overall deal with the Warner Bros. Television Group, it was announced today by Bruce Rosenblum, President, Warner Bros. Television Group.
paraMedia will have a primary focus on first-run syndicated programming, produced in association with Telepictures Productions. paraMedia will also produce primetime non-scripted reality programs and low-budget scripted series in association with the recently founded Warner Horizon Television, as well as new media content for digital platforms (such as the Telepictures-produced TMZ.com, a 24/7 on-demand entertainment news network on the Web).
As his first order of business, Paratore will become an executive producer of Telepictures’ “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” alongside current executive producers Mary Connelly, Ed Glavin, Andy Lassner and Ellen DeGeneres. A three-time Daytime Emmy Award winner for Outstanding Talk Show, “Ellen” is seen by more than 13 million viewers each week and was recently renewed by the NBC-owned and operated television stations in 10 top television markets through the 2009-2010 season.
In addition to developing new shows, Paratore will continue to be involved in the development of TMZ.com.
“We are thrilled to have the opportunity to align ourselves with Jim as he launches his new company,” said Rosenblum. “Jim possesses the unique talents of a strong businessman, fierce salesman, astute producer and innovative creator. His 19-year tenure at Warner Bros. and Telepictures speaks for itself through such hits as ‘The Bachelor,’ ‘The Rosie O’Donnell Show,’ ‘Ellen,’ ‘Extra’ and more. I can think of no better person than Jim to seamlessly segue from a TV executive to an entrepreneurial producer. He clearly has the talent, experience and relationships to make paraMedia the next TV powerhouse among Warner Bros.’ roster of hit makers.”
“Starting my own production company is the best way to utilize everything I’ve learned over the last 20-plus years in the television business,” said Paratore. “As the media landscape continues to evolve, the one constant is content. This company will enable me to be entrepreneurial and develop content across the entire spectrum during this exciting time, and I can’t tell you how pleased I am to be able to do it in partnership with all of the great people at Warner Bros.”
paraMedia is expected to have series in development for the 2007-2008 television season.
Prior to founding paraMedia, Paratore has held positions in local television station management, series development and production and, most recently, in television distribution, where he has most recently served as President, Telepictures Productions and Executive Vice President, Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution.
Paratore served as President of Telepictures Productions since its inception in 1992. During that time, he was credited with building the non-scripted production division into one of the industry’s top producers of first-run syndicated and network primetime reality programs, responsible for some 17 syndicated strips, including long-running shows like “The Ellen DeGeneres Show,” “Extra,” “The Rosie O’Donnell Show,” “Jenny Jones,” “Change of Heart,” “elimiDATE” and “Street Smarts”; 12 primetime reality series, including the perennial franchise “The Bachelor”; and, most recently, launching the successful TMZ.com in partnership with AOL. Telepictures Productions’ series have received more than 40 Daytime Emmys, including Outstanding Talk Show eight of the last nine years.
In 2002, Paratore assumed the additional title of Executive Vice President, Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution, expanding his responsibilities to include the day-to-day oversight of one of the industry’s largest distribution operations of first-run and off-network programming. Under Paratore’s leadership, WBDTD led the industry in first-run syndication, launching five first-run strips in four years, including “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” and “The Tyra Banks Show.” In addition, Paratore oversaw the domestic syndication sales of “Two and a Half Men,” “Sex and the City,” “George Lopez,” “Without A Trace” and “Cold Case” as well as numerous Warner Bros. movie packages.
Prior to being named President, Telepictures Productions, Paratore served for two years as Senior Vice President, Lorimar-Telepictures. Before that, he was Senior Vice President, First-Run Development, Lorimar-Telepictures from 1988 to1990 and Vice President, Production, Lorimar-Telepictures from 1987 to 1988.
Prior to joining Lorimar-Telepictures in 1987, Paratore was Director, Programming and Production at WTVJ-TV (Miami); Program Director at WPLG-TV (Miami); and served as Advertising and Promotion Manager at WJXT-TV (Jacksonville, FL) and at KALB-TV (Alexandria, LA).
Paratore is a graduate of Loyola University in New Orleans and holds a bachelor’s degree in communications.
“The Ellen DeGeneres Show” is produced by A Very Good Production and WAD Productions, Inc. in association with Telepictures Productions, and is distributed by Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution.
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