October 30, 2008

CableFAX Program Awards: Programming Executive of the Year

Winner: Robert Greenblatt, President, Entertainment, Showtime Networks Inc.

It’s a cliché that less is more. In Bob Greenblatt’s case, it’s true. When Greenblatt came to Showtime in 2003 the network was producing original entertainment at a pace as inhumanly fast as Mozart composed music. It was the rare week when Showtime failed to supply viewers and TV critics with a smorgasbord of original films, specials and series. The voluminous material yielded more misses than hits, earning Showtime the mixed rep as a network that took artistic chances, yes, but a place to be approached only after you’d been turned down by HBO...several times. Enter the understated Greenblatt and his solid reputation in the creative community — besides HBO’s hit series Six Feet Under, he and partner David Janollari had produced 11 television series and grabbed six Emmy nominations. On Greenblatt’s name alone, Showtime chief Matt Blank promised, talent would be drawn to the network. As important, Blank and Greenblatt decided to make a radical move. They tightened the creative spigot, emphasizing fewer, but top-quality productions. Ironically, that plan to produce fewer originals has again resulted in a full cupboard, but now it’s stocked with Emmy noms and Golden Globes for hits like Weeds, The Tudors, Californication, The L Word and Dexter. And Greenblatt’s roster includes stars like David Duchovny, Mary-Louise Parker, Michael C. Hall and Jonathan Rhys Meyers.

Return to 2008 CableFAX Program Awards table of contents.