Family Taps Mancuso

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ABC Family last Wednesday named NBC veteran Linda Mancuso as its senior vice president and head of programming.

Mancuso, who spent the last 20 years at NBC — most recently as chief operating officer at Peter Engel Productions/NBC Enterprises — will oversee all original movies, scripted series, reality programming and specials for the entertainment network.

While the network currently features a number of repurposed programs from broadcast brethren ABC, Mancuso said she intends to develop "a substantial programming slate of scripted series, original movies and reality programs with a modern take on family."

Commenting on Mancuso's appointment, ABC Family Channel president Angela Shapiro said in a statement that, "Linda's successful history of creating dynamic, original programming, combined with her creativity and strong relationships within the industry will be instrumental to our success as we continue to strengthen and build our audience."

R. Thomas Umstead
R. Thomas Umstead

R. Thomas Umstead serves as senior content producer, programming for Multichannel News, Broadcasting + Cable and Next TV. During his more than 30-year career as a print and online journalist, Umstead has written articles on a variety of subjects ranging from TV technology, marketing and sports production to content distribution and development. He has provided expert commentary on television issues and trends for such TV, print, radio and streaming outlets as Fox News, CNBC, the Today show, USA Today, The New York Times and National Public Radio. Umstead has also filmed, produced and edited more than 100 original video interviews, profiles and news reports featuring key cable television executives as well as entertainers and celebrity personalities.