USA Network took steps to shore up its development department Thursday,
hiring a Lifetime Television veteran to work on long-form programming and
announcing several promotions.
Lifetime's Laurette Hayden is joining USA as senior vice president, long-form
programming.
Based in Los Angeles, Hachette -- who was responsible for more than 50 films
during her tenure at the women's-targeted service since 1997 -- will help to
develop original movies and miniseries. She reports to executive VP of series
and long-form programming Jeff Wachtel.
'Laurette is an incredible and experienced television executive. I've wanted
to work with her for years,' Wachtel said in a prepared statement. 'Having her
at USA will certainly help us to realize our goals of creating event-television
movies and miniseries.'
Hayden's Lifetime credits include The Truth About Jane, An American
Daughter, What Makes a Family and Within These Walls.
Previously, she was executive VP of motion pictures for the Fred Silverman
Co. and VP of Home Box Office's original movies.
In addition to Hayden's hiring, USA announced the promotions of Christof Bove
to VP, development, long-form programming; Michael Sluchan to director of
development, long-form programming; Gary Shapiro to director of series
development, reality programming and specials; and Bill McGoldrick to director
of development, original series.
McGoldrick's current projects include Monk, a skein starring Tony
Shalhoub that will bow on the network this summer.
USA, which has been struggling to find a significant original series, has
also committed to Dead Zone, a drama based on Stephen King's novel of the
same name. That series is slated to debut this summer, as
well.
