ABC is looking for a change in its reality show department now that the network’s veteran reality chief John Saade is leaving.
Saade has been at the Disney-owned network since 2004, overseeing hits like Dancing With The Stars, Shark Tank, Wipeout and The Bachelor, notes The Hollywood Reporter, which first reported the news. His job as ABC Entertainment's executive vp alternative series and late-night programming included overseeing all unscripted programming, including late-night shows.
“John is a very talented executive who has made enormous contributions to ABC and the reality genre, developing some truly innovative, buzz worthy programming and growing some of our most important franchises," ABC Entertainment Group president Paul Lee said in a statement. “We will miss his passion and enthusiasm and wish him nothing but the very best.”
Deadline is now reporting that Lisa Berger, who left E! Entertainment after nine years, is in the running for Saade’s job.
Saade is just the latest reality head to leave one of the major networks. Fox’s Mark Darnell left in May and is at Warner Bros. now and CBS’ Jennifer Bresnan left over the summer.
While DWTS, The Bachelor and Shark Tank are ABC’s big reality properties, the network has failed to produce a hit reality series recently. In fact, aside from NBC’s The Voice, none of the networks have had a big reality hit in recent years. It’s a different story on cable, where shows like Duck Dynasty have been enormous hits.