eOne Television senior VP of factual entertainment Michael Kot is departing the company to launch new TV production venture, Saloon Media, it was announced Wednesday.

And eOne has also inked a two-year overall deal with Kot’s newly-launched venture.

Saloon Media will focus on factual entertainment for world markets with production partners in Canada, the U.K. and U.S. to be “a provider of popular returnable series and high impact-specials,” according to a release.

Kot joined eOne Television in 2010, where he was charged with leading its factual division’s growth. He oversaw series including D-Day to Victory, Sugar Stars, Storming Juno and Mega Builders.

He will continue to serve as executive producer on eOne’s upcoming factual projects, including Martian Invasions, Korea Hill, Dangerous Persuasions/Brainwashed and Perfect Storms.

Previous to joining eOne, Kot was VP original factual content for Canwest channels including Global Television, History Television, Mystery, National Geographic Canada, IFC. He was also responsible for acquisitions and general operations at BBC Canada.

Effective March 31 and for an interim period, eOne VP factual entertainment Loren Mawhinney will take on Kot’s duties.

eOne said it continues to expand its factual and alternative offerings, bolstered by the recent additions of L.A.-based VP current programming and development exec Jeff Hevert and London-based factual acquisitions manager Justina Hemperek.