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Block Named FearNet President

`Saw' Exec Producer To Helm Horror-Themed Movie Network

by R. Thomas Umstead -- Multichannel News, 8/10/2010 4:43:57 PM

Famed horror film producer Peter Block Tuesday was named president and general manager of the Comcast Cable, Sony Pictures Television and Lionsgate-owned FearNet service.

Block, who is executive producer of the popular Saw horror movie franchise, will oversee operations for the 24-hour cable channel when it launches as a linear service in October, according to company officials.
Block will take over for Diane Robina, who will continue to run the four-year old FearNet's video-on-demand and online components into the fall, before turning her attention full-time to her role as executive vice president, programming, production and marketing for TV Guide Network.

Block's film career includes the launch of the Saw franchise, which has grossed more than $600 million in worldwide box office, as well as such other Lionsgate horror-themed movies as Daybreakers, Hostel, Cabin Fever, Open Water and House of 1000 Corpses. Block served as president of acquisitions and co-productions for Lionsgate, shepherding the acquisition of rights to more than 500 films, and he previously oversaw the Company's home entertainment efforts, including pay-per-view, VOD and pay television and web ventures.
Before joining Lionsgate, Block was executive vice president of acquisitions, distribution and new media for Trimark Pictures.
"With his varied experience, both as an executive and as a producer on some of the most successful films in the genre, Peter knows how to thrill an audience and is a perfect fit for FearNet," said Andy Kaplan, president, networks for Sony Pictures Television. "Having been part of FearNet from the very beginning, he's in a great position to take the channel to the next level."
The past June, Lionsgate, Sony Pictures Television and Comcast announced it will launch FearNet as a predominately digital-basic movie channel in time for the 2010 Halloween season, and is currently negotiating carriage agreements with operators.

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