Shapiro ships to USA

Producer to head cable nets' telepic prod'n

By RICHARD KATZ

NEW YORK -- Barry Diller's USA Networks has tapped former Kushner/Locke executive Adam Shapiro to head the cable networks' original movie production division.

Shapiro, who began his new job in late June, replaced Ian Valentine, USA Networks VP, longform programming, who resigned as of July 1 to pursue other opportunities.

The hiring of Shapiro is the latest in a series of high-level personnel changes that have occurred at USA since Diller took control of the company last year. Valentine's resignation was preceded by departures of Kay Koplovitz, chairman and CEO, and Rod Perth, president of programming.

Diller brought in Stephen Chao as president of programming and marketing, and promoted Steven Brenner to president, operations.

Reached at his new office at USA Networks' Los Angeles office, Shapiro said it was too early to comment on his strategy for developing movies for USA Network and its sister network Sci-Fi Channel.

"We're going to do some interesting things," said Shapiro, who's been an independent producer for the last two years.

Valentine joined USA Networks in 1995 under the Perth regime. Under Valentine's leadership, USA developed the most-watched originally produced program ever on basic cable: "Moby Dick," a miniseries that averaged an 8.1 rating/11.8 share in USA Networks' universe, according to Nielsen Media Research.