Scott Herbst ascends to president of Lionsgate Television Group, cementing the studio's confidence in an executive who shaped the company's scripted output over the past six years. The promotion signals continuity at a major independent production powerhouse as the television landscape fragments across streaming platforms and traditional networks.
Herbst takes the helm after six years at Lionsgate, most recently as executive VP of TV and head of development. In this new role, he oversees all creative operations for the television division, inheriting responsibility for a sprawling slate that includes prestige dramas, limited series, and genre content distributed across Netflix, Apple TV Plus, Prime Video, and traditional broadcasters. His elevation reflects Lionsgate's strategy to strengthen leadership within its TV operation as the studio navigates shifting content economics and shifting audience preferences.
The corporate shuffle reveals how Lionsgate structures its creative apparatus. Lee Hollin and Marcello Bellisario, both executive VPs who head current programming, maintain their positions under Herbst's oversight. This arrangement preserves existing management relationships while clarifying the chain of command beneath Herbst's presidency.
Lionsgate Television operates as a critical revenue engine for parent company Lionsgate, producing shows across multiple genres and budgets. The division generates content for global audiences through output deals and direct-to-platform arrangements. Recent years have seen Lionsgate produce series for premium streamers, including work on major franchises and original IP designed for international markets. The studio balances big-budget prestige television against genre programming and limited series.
Herbst's development background positions him to influence greenlight decisions and long-term content strategy. As head of development, he evaluated pitches, shepherded projects from concept through production, and shaped the creative voice of the studio's slate. Television executives with development expertise typically bring project management discipline and creative sensibility to leadership roles. Herbst's familiarity with Lionsgate's talent relationships, distributor partnerships, and production infrastructure gives him operational knowledge necessary for the presidency.
The promotion occurs as major studios recalibrate television operations. Traditional production divisions face pressure from streaming economics, which demand higher output at lower per-episode budgets or conversely, expensive prestige content designed for awards consideration. Lionsgate Television has pursued a hybrid strategy, maintaining both volume production and selective prestige projects. Herbst inherits this balancing act.
Television group presidents at major studios typically oversee P&L responsibility, talent negotiations, and strategic partnerships with distributors. Herbst's new mandate extends beyond creative decisions into business operations. This represents a significant step up in scope and corporate influence.
Lionsgate Television competes directly with Sony Pictures Television, Universal Television, Warner Bros. Television, and smaller independent producers. The division's success depends on maintaining relationships with streaming platforms while developing franchises and IP that sustain multiple seasons or spin-offs. Herbst's expanded authority signals that Lionsgate's board believes he can execute this strategy.
The timing matters. Television production budgets remain under pressure across the industry. Streamers cut back on expensive dramas while pursuing cheaper reality and unscripted content. Lionsgate Television must navigate this contraction while maintaining quality and talent relationships. Herbst's promotion positions him to make difficult resource allocation decisions and chart the division's creative direction through an unstable market.