MGM Acquires Reality TV Company Evolution Media

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MGM Acquires Reality TV Company Evolution Media
Douglas Ross and Alex Baskin.

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc. announced Tuesday it is expanding its reality television footprint by acquiring the assets of reality TV producer Evolution Media.

Evolution Media’s unscripted shows include Bravo Network’s “The Real Housewives of Orange County,” “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” and “Vanderpump Rules,” as well as E! Network’s series “Botched.”

The acquisition of Evolution’s assets expands Beverly Hills-based MGM’s television division, led by Mark Burnett. MGM Television’s current reality series include “Survivor” (CBS), “The Voice” (NBC) and “Shark Tank” (ABC), among others.

The reality TV company will operate as Evolution Media, an MGM company, with its founder and chief executive Douglas Ross to become president of the acquired business, MGM said. Alex Baskin, Evolution Media’s executive vice president of programming and development, will become the acquired company’s president of programming and development. Both executives will report to Barry Poznick, MGM’s president of unscripted television.

Evolution Media will continue to operate out of its Burbank headquarters.

The business, founded 30 years ago by Ross, has produced more than 50 unscripted series including the inaugural seasons of CBS’s “Big Brother” and NBC’s “Fear Factor.”

“After 30 years of being fiercely independent, we couldn’t be more proud and excited to join forces with the dynamic, creative, and supportive leadership at MGM,” Ross said in a statement.

Contact media and entertainment reporter Diane Haithman at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @dhaithman for the latest in L.A. business news.

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