Kuryak, Dickerson Land Programming VP Posts of Their ‘OWN’

Execs Will Be Responsible for Non-Scripted Programming

By Larry Barrett -- Multichannel News, 12/2/2008 10:34:00 AM

OWN: The Oprah Winfrey Network Tuesday named Timothy Kuryak and Jill Dickerson as vice presidents of programming where they’ll both be responsible for driving the development of non-scripted programming.

Both will report to Nina Wass, senior vice president of creative affairs, and Maria Grasso, senior vice president of programming, network officials said.

The duo will collaborate with producers, writers, agents, and distributors to drive development of non-scripted programming. They will also supervise editorial management with outside production.

“Jill and Tim have proven on their own that they are successful at creating programming designed to enlighten and connect viewers,” Wass said in a statement. “That is why we are eager to have them with us, because their creative philosophy is right in step with what is being developed at OWN.”

Kuryak joins OWN from Discovery Communications’ Planet Green where he served as vice president of West Coast production and development.

Dickerson most recently served as head writer and consulting producer for MTV’s The Real World.