Turner hires David Eilenberg for unscripted role

July 10, 2012 by Kevin Ritchie

David Eilenberg

Turner has hired former Mark Burnett Productions exec David Eilenberg for the newly-created role of senior VP of unscripted development for cable networks TBS and TNT.

He will oversee all unscripted programming for both networks and report to Michael Wright, president and head of programming for TNT, TBS and TCM.

As head of development and current programming for Mark Burnett Productions, Eilenberg worked on series such as The Apprentice, The Voice and Are You Smarter Than A Fifth Grader?

Both Turner networks are pushing into unscripted programming as they expand their line-ups into year-round slates in 2013. Last month, drama-centric TNT debuted the reality competition series The Great Escape and has ordered two more unscripted shows – 72 Hours and Boston Blue – while comedy-oriented TBS’ reality slate includes the competition series King of the Nerds, Deon Cole’s Black Box and Who Gets the Last Laugh?

“David Eilenberg has been instrumental in the success of some of television’s biggest reality hits,” Wright said in a statement. “His taste and his relationships within the talent community are both first rate and will be vital to our efforts to grow this new aspect of our business.”

“David has been a great colleague and friend for many years,” added Mark Burnett, president of One Three Media. “We’re thrilled that he’s going to a terrific network, and we look forward to working closely with him and his colleagues in the future.”

Prior to Mark Burnett Productions, worked on web projects with AOL, co-created the MTV dating show Dismissed, served as head writer on The Weakest Link, and worked as a writer on comedian Sacha Baren Cohen’s Da Ali G Show.

Tags: David Eilenberg, Mark Burnett, Mark Burnett Productions, Michael Wright, TBS, TNT, Turner Broadcasting System