Lionsgate has merged its unscripted television divisions to launch Lionsgate Alternative Television, following its completed acquisition of Entertainment One (eOne).

The division is a combination of Lionsgate’s Pilgrim Media Group and eOne’s unscripted businesses, which include U.S. banners Blackfin and Renegade, and U.K.-based Daisybeck Studios.

The merged companies are behind unscripted franchises such as Naked and Afraid, Selling Sunset (pictured), Street Outlaws, and Wicked Tuna, as well as the docuseries The 1619 Project, which recently picked up an Emmy for Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Series.

Leading the new division is Pilgrim Media Group’s Craig Piligian, serving as managing director. The companies will retain their “market-facing development labels,” while the production, post-production and operating teams will be integrated, according to a news release.

Lionsgate Alternative Television will collaborate with eOne Canada, led by Jocelyn Hamilton, president of the Canadian television division.

The division’s management team includes Pilgren’s president and COO Gretchen Stockdale, and Nicholas Caprio, chief current officer and general manager. Renegade’s David Garfinkle and Jay Renfroe will serve as senior executives, with all four reporting to Piligian.

Dirk Hoogstra, who departed New York-based prodco Half Yard Productions last month, has joined Lionsgate to lead eOne’s U.S. label.

Creative officers under Lionsgate Alternative Television are Tom Huffman for Pilgrim; Bob Kusbit for Renegade; Geno McDermott for Blackfin, Matt Pritchard, Matt Walton and Malcolm Gerrie for eOne U.K.; and Paul Stead for Daisybeck.

Kevin Beggs, Lionsgate Television Group chairman and chief creative officer, said the new division “marks another key milestone in the expansion of” Lionsgate’s global TV footprint, in a statement.

Lionsgate completed its acquisition of eOne from Hasbro at the end of 2023 for US$375 million in cash, in addition to assuming production financing loans.

Image courtesy of Netflix