Dick Clark Productions taps Michael Antinoro to lead programming push

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Looking its expand its production operations, Dick Clark Productions (DCP) has tapped Michael Antinoro as its executive vice president of programming.

The move is part of a push by DCP Chief Executive Mark Shapiro to move into scripted and reality fare for both broadcast and cable channels as well as digital platforms. DCP has dabbled with reality and contest fare in the past, with shows such Fox’s ‘So You Think You Can Dance’ and ABC’s ‘Shaq Vs.,’ featuring basketball star Shaquille O’Neal challenging athletes from other sports to contests. However, the company is still primarily known for its live-event fare, including its production of the Golden Globe Awards, the American Music Awards and, of course, ‘Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest.’

Shapiro has long ties to Antinoro. The two worked together at ESPN when Shapiro ran entertainment and Antinoro worked on the successful series ‘Sports Century.’ Antinoro also was involved in the production of the ESPN drama ‘Playmakers,’ which got big ratings and the wrath of the National Football League for its portrayal of a fictional league full of rogue players.

‘There is a huge appetite for new programming,’ Shapiro said, citing the number of cable channels that are venturing into original content and away from reruns.

Antinoro, who will be based in New York, will report directly to Shapiro and not Orly Adelson, who is president of DCP.

‘Orly oversees many aspects of our company, but her particular focus is live events,’ Shapiro said. Adelson also worked with Shapiro and Antinoro at ESPN.

‘I view it as a very productive triangle,’ Shapiro said in describing the reporting structure, adding, ‘and I’m going to be at the center of it because of my desire to see us be very aggressive in all these development areas.’

-- Joe Flint