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Ryan Seacrest is laying down roots at CBS.
The multihyphenate’s scripted division has inked a two-year overall deal at CBS TV Studios. As part of the pact, Ryan Seacrest Productions, under scripted programming executive VP Nina Wass, will develop projects for broadcast and cable as well as streaming services. When it comes to unscripted fare, RSP will remain independent and thus able to sell across all networks.
“Under Nina Wass’ leadership, our scripted team has made great strides in the last two years. CBS Television Studios and David Stapf have a tremendous track record in developing ground-breaking material, and we hope our partnership will further their success. It’s truly a privilege for us to now call the studio home for our scripted division,” said Seacrest in a statement announcing the news Tuesday.
Added Wass, who joined RSP in 2012 after stints at OWN and as a producer with a deal at Touchstone/ABC Studios: “There are so many talented people at CBS Television Studios. It’s a great honor to receive their confidence and support, and I can’t wait to get started on creating a new series together.”
Though RSP is far better known for its unscripted portfolio, which includes the Kardashian franchise as well as Bravo’s Shahs of Sunset and Esquire’s How I Rock It, the company’s scripted division has bulked up its scripted output with since-canceled Mixology at ABC and forthcoming straight-to-series Jennifer Lopez drama Shades of Blue at NBC. Other scripted entries in development include a drama with Pitbull attached, an ABC comedy by Halsted Sullivan and an ABC comedy based on the best-selling book The Gaggle.
“Ryan is someone who has proven he can do it all – both on-air and as a producer – and on every imaginable platform,” said Stapf, CBS TV Studio’s president, adding: “He and Nina have outstanding eyes for talent and tremendous instincts for audience tastes in today’s diverse and expanding television universe. We’ve wanted to be in business with them for some time, and we’re excited to get started.”
The news comes just weeks after THR exclusively reported that Seacrest had signed a deal to host and executive produce CBS’ live two-hour special Fashion Rocks in September. It marked his first on-air deal at the network, and means that he now has partnerships at each of the Big Four broadcast nets. (He hosts New Year’s Rockin’ Eve at ABC and recently signed on to continue with American Idol on Fox.)
Additionally, Seacrest inked a one-year deal with NBCUniversal that is focused primarily on carpets, contributions to E! News, and a few specials at E! and NBC via RSP. No longer officially included is a commitment to NBC News’ Today show or involvement with NBC Sports.
RSP is repped by CAA and Hansen Jacobson; Wass is repped by CAA and Felker Toczek.
Email: Lacey.Rose@THR.com; Twitter: @LaceyVRose
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