TCA 2018: PBS Taps TV Veteran Perry Simon as Programming Chief

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Complete Coverage: TCA 2018 Summer Press Tour 

PBS has named TV programming veteran Perry Simon as its chief programming executive and general manager, the organization announced Monday (July 30) at the Television Critics Association summer press tour.

Perry Simon

Perry Simon

Simon, who will begin his new role in September, will oversee all non-children’s programming for PBS, according to Paula Kerger, PBS president and CEO.

Most recently Simon served as managing director at Vulcan Productions. Prior to that Simon served as general manager of BBC America, overseeing the channel’s cable and digital platforms.

Simon has also held executive positions at Viacom Productions and broadcast network NBC.

"We had alot of people interested in this job, and we looked for someone who had vision and a leader that understood the changing media environment," Kerger said during the session. "For someone to work at PBS, you have to truly believe in what we do, and we saw that in Perry."

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.