Pluto TV Hires Former VP of Programming at Comcast

Pluto TV, a leading free over-the-top streaming service in America, today announced the appointment of entertainment veteran Robert Magdlen to the new position of Chief Programming Officer. Effective immediately, he will be responsible for programming and channel development in support of Pluto TV’s strategic priorities, which include becoming the global free destination for mainstream, interest-based, and unique TV entertainment.

“Having built successful TV networks, Robert is the perfect person to lead our programming initiatives,” said Tom Ryan, CEO of Pluto TV in a statement sent to Cord Cutters News. “Pluto TV is about connecting viewers with both familiar and unexpected content and I cannot wait for our viewers to see what he and the team have in store for them.”

“When you look at where television is headed, Pluto TV is the most convincing vision for the future of TV,” said Magdlen. “Everyone at Pluto TV is incredibly determined to change TV and I’m very excited to lead a team at the intersection of technology and entertainment.”

Magdlen previously served as senior vice president of program strategy and acquisitions at E! where he led a team supporting multi-platform scheduling, marketing, development, public relations, production management, ad sales, distribution, audience research, network operations, traffic and international. He was part of the executive team that launched and grew the Kardashians into the biggest name in reality TV and Chelsea Handler into a top female comic.

During his tenure, Magdlen managed E!’s annual programming budget and pro forma analysis of all original and acquired content. He oversaw programming strategies behind the successful launches of E!’s forays into scripted with The Royals; reality TV hit series including Keeping Up with the Kardashians, Total Divas, and Botched; as well as topical series like Chelsea Lately, The Soup and Fashion Police. Magdlen also served as a network executive on many hit original series, such as The E! True Hollywood Story, Fashion Police and The Soup. Moreover, he was the executive in charge of production for E! News Specials.

In addition to acquiring iconic shows, such as Sex & The City and Saved By The Bell for E!, Magdlen built up the highly successful Movies We Love franchise that included pop culture favorites Knocked Up, Bridesmaids, He’s Just Not That Into You, I Love You Man and Friends With Benefits. He also purchased movies on behalf of other Comcast cable and NBCU cable channels, including USA, Syfy, Bravo, Oxygen, Esquire and TV One.Prior to E!, Magdlen worked in production for TNT in Los Angeles after starting his entertainment career at Turner Entertainment’s Atlanta headquarters working with Cartoon Network, CNN, TBS, TNT, TCM and Turner Sports.

This is a major hire for Pluto TV as Magdlen will help open new doors for Pluto TV and help them obtain new deals. Hopefully this will be the start of great things for Pluto TV.

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