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Kevin Beggs

President, Lionsgate Television Group
UCSC Alum, '89

Kevin Beggs is President, Lionsgate Television Group, with responsibility for development and production of all scripted and non-scripted programming for both domestic and international distribution.  He has spearheaded the strategic expansion of the company’s television production activities in broadcast and cable, and with Lionsgate’s acquisition of TV Guide Network and its partnership in the new premium entertainment channel EPIX, he has also become one of the key executives managing Lionsgate’s creative interests in both ventures.

 

In addition, Beggs is President of the Hollywood Radio and Television Society (HRTS) and Chair of The National Association of Television Program Executives (NATPE).  He serves on the Board and Executive Committee of the International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, the Los Angeles Board of Governors of the Paley Center for Media, and the Board of the Banff World Media Festival.  He is also Co-President of the Board of Directors of the charity My Friend’s Place.

 

Under Beggs’ leadership, the television division has become a leading supplier of programming, particularly to cable networks, with an impressive production slate that includes the recently announced drama series BOSS starring Kelsey Grammer for Starz; the multiple Emmy and Golden Globe-winning series MAD MEN, which concluded its fourth season on AMC this fall; the hit comedy WEEDS starring Mary-Louise Parker, which returns to Showtime for its seventh season this year; the critically acclaimed comedy  NURSE JACKIE starring Edie Falco, now  in production on its third season for Showtime; the FOX comedy series RUNNING WILDE starring Will Arnett and Keri Russell; the college football comedy series BLUE MOUNTAIN STATE, currently in its second season on Spike TV, and the reality competition series SCREAM QUEENS which completed its second season on VH1 this fall.      

 

In addition, TV Guide Network will launch its new original docu-soap THE NAIL FILES in mid-2011.  Created and executive produced by Jersey Shore’s Sally Ann Salsano and 495 Productions, the series follows Katie Cazorla, owner of Hollywood’s celebrity-filled nail bar, The Painted Nail, and will be distributed internationally by Lionsgate.

 

Lionsgate also has television development deals with Brian Robbins’ Varsity Pictures; Steve Buscemi’s and Stanley Tucci’s Olive Productions; Clyde Phillips, the award-winning executive producer/showrunner of Dexter for its first four seasons; and a number of pilots in development with networks including HBO, TNT, SyFy and Comedy Central.   

 

Over the past several years, Lionsgate has produced numerous other TV productions, including NBC’s suspense and horror anthology series FEAR ITSELF; USA Network’s hit drama series THE DEAD ZONE; ABC Family’s popular drama WILDFIRE; Spike TV’s original eight-hour drama event THE KILL POINT, starring Emmy winner John Leguizamo and Donnie Wahlberg; Kevin Williamson’s drama series HIDDEN PALMS on the CW; the Lifetime comedy series LOVESPRING INTERNATIONAL; the detective/fantasy series THE DRESDEN FILES and the six-hour limited series event THE LOST ROOM, both of which aired on SCI FI; the WE reality series DIRTY DANCING; and I PITY THE FOOL starring Mr. T for TV Land. 

 

Beggs first gained prominence in television as a producer on the hit series BAYWATCH and was tapped in 1998 to start Lionsgate’s series television business.  He spearheaded the dramatic series MYSTERIOUS WAYS, HIGHER GROUND, TRACKER and HOPE ISLAND, as well as the reality projects NO BOUNDARIES for WB and IRON CHEF USA for UPN.  His additional credits include the LIFETIME movie STUDENT SEDUCTION, ABC Family’s LUCKY SEVEN and magic special CRISS ANGEL’S MINDFREAK, and a sequel to the latter entitled CHRIS ANGEL: SUPERNATURAL for SCI FI Channel.

 

Born in the San Francisco Bay area, Beggs was raised in Marin County, Oakland, and later Washington state.  In 1989, he graduated with College Honors from UC Santa Cruz where he double-majored in Politics and Theater Arts.  Kevin and his wife, Dianna, live in Los Angeles with their two young children, Katherine and Breydon.