As it laid off a handful of employees today, Sundance Channel unveiled plans for a change in its strategic focus. Company president Larry Aidem said that the network, owned by NBC Universal, Showtime, and Robert Redford, will move towards creating more original programming and acquiring multi-part documentary and narrative series, shifting from internal production to licensing and commissioning work by TV and film directors and producers. More than a half-dozen staffers are understood to have been let go today, given their immediate walking papers.
Aidem also announced a number of key promotions and appointments, naming Jennie Morris from Showtime as Director of Scheduling and Program Planning, Gail Gendler as Senior Director of Acquisitions, both reporting to Christian Vesper, VP of Acquisitions, Scheduling and Program Planning. Adam Pincus remains Sundance Channel's SVP, Original Programming. They report to the recenly named Laura Michalchyshyn, EVP of Marketing and Programming.
In other changes, Valerie Bruce was named VP, Legal and Business Affairs, reporting to Jacqueline Moreton, SVP/General Counsel, Legal and Business Affairs.
