Boden Out at GSN
By R. Thomas Umstead -- Multichannel News, 12/9/2003 12:32:00 PM
Veteran Game Show Network executive Bob Boden is out as senior vice president of programming amid a network move toward more reality-based, game-oriented shows.
GSN president Rich Cronin would not comment on Boden’s departure, but he said the network is conducting a search for a new programming head. Current VP of programming Kevin Belinkoff will handle Boden’s duties in the interim.
Boden, an avid classic-game-show fan, joined the network in 2001 and oversaw its acquisition of several top-rated off-network game shows, including Who Wants to Be a Millionaire and TheWeakest Link. He also presided over the development of such original programming as reality series Naturally Stoned and game shows Cram and Lingo.
GSN, though, has been moving away from classic game shows and more toward reality and other game-oriented programming. The network recently announced the development of Boden-commissioned reality series Fake-a-Date, as well as National Lampoon’s Greek Games, a competition between rival fraternities and sororities.
Cronin eventually envisions the network devoting only 25% of its primetime lineup to traditional game-show programming. "We’re continuing with the evolution of Game Show Network," he said.
In November, GSN averaged a 0.6 primetime rating, up 20% over the same period last year.
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