Longtime Corus programming exec Vibika Bianchi has left the company to join Vancouver-based Force Four Entertainment as its new Toronto-based SVP.

The new role will see Bianchi launch and run a new Toronto outpost for the company, which was recently acquired by Entertainment One.
Bianchi has been the face of original women’s and family programming at Corus since 2010, and has been with the company in various roles since 2004. She helmed women’s original programming from 2006 to 2010, and added family in 2013. Under her watch, the company has developed a large slate of original factual programming, including Million Dollar Neighbourhood, Anna & Kristina’s Grocery Bag and Mom’s A Medium.

Bianchi’s new role at Force Four will involve working with Vancouver-based SVP and head of development Robert Hardy to expand the prodco’s production and development slate. She will report to Force Four chief creative officer John Ritchie.

Bianchi and Richie have worked together on numerous projects before, including Force Four series’ The Audience and Cupcake Girls, which have aired on Corus’ W Network.

“I’ve always admired her creative instinct, her integrity and her storytelling,” Ritchie told Playback Daily of Biachni’s hire.

Additionally, Heather Findlay has also been hired to staff Force Four’s new Toronto outpost as supervising producer. Findlay previously held a short-term contract position at Corus as a production executive, and has also spent time at Cineflix and Peacock Alley Entertainment.

The Toronto branch of Force Four will launch with Bianchi and Findlay as its sole staff, but the goal is to start small and build the business out, Richie notes.

“It’s all about getting more shows into development and getting more shows into production,” he said.

Bianchi and Findlay will work out of a dedicated space in eOne’s main offices in downtown Toronto, starting Nov. 17.