Daysun Perkins

Daysun Perkins is a television development executive, producer and consultant with more than fifteen years of experience in the industry.

---

Daysun Perkins has more than fifteen years of experience in the television industry, with a primary focus on the development and production of highly successful broadcast, cable and syndicated unscripted television programming, including many well-known and award-winning series in the docuseries, documentary, competition, format, talk, dating, game show and improvisational comedy genres. From concept creation to series production, Daysun has worked for both top television networks and renowned production companies, including his current position as SVP, Development and Programming at Spectrum. He has also been involved in the casting of numerous unscripted programs, including Chris Harrison on The Bachelor and Regis Philbin on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire.

SVP, Programming and Development at Spectrum

May 2015 - Present | Los Angeles

Lead programming and development executive in the Los Angeles offices of the Emmy-award winning entertainment, branding & content studio. Focused on finding, creating and developing new top-tier concepts for television, digital series and branded content.

Development Executive at 44 Blue Productions

August 2013 - May 2015 | Los Angeles, CA

Led all concept and series development for new projects for 44 Blue Productions, including numerous broadcast, cable and syndication concepts already in pilot and series stages at a variety of networks. Conceived of, researched, cast and developed new ideas; produced pitch decks, treatments, sizzle reels, presentations and pilots; and attended all network meetings with the co-owners of the company. Worked with the production team to staff and format all new projects.

Consultant at Daysun Perkins Consulting

September 2012 - August 2013

Consultant on unscripted/reality/alternative format development and production for production companies, studios and networks, including Shine America and Original Productions. Draft concepts, produce pitch and sales materials, flush out creative on existing international formats, new ideas, casting and production.

Executive Director, Original Programming and Development at GSN

May 2010 - September 2012

Oversaw all programming aspects and coverage of numerous GSN programs, including The Pyramid, Baggage, Drew Carey's Improv-a-Ganza, 1 vs. 100, Catch 21 and GSN Live, as well as other stripped series, specials and one-offs. Developed and formatted numerous new programs from concept to series, including work on the most successful original series in the history of the network, The American Bible Challenge. Sought out and recommended producers, production companies, show ideas, and host/talent choices, and worked with all other GSN departments, including marketing, promotion, publicity and digital, to successfully launch and broaden the success of new original programs.

Vice President of Development at EYEWORKS USA

December 2008 - February 2010

Served as the senior executive in the development department for Eyeworks USA, the U.S. division of the third largest independent television production company in the world. Developed and oversaw all aspects of new unscripted formats for broadcast, cable and syndication, including docu-series, game, reality and children's formats for domestic and international sales. Worked directly with the other international divisions to translate formats from other territories for the domestic market. Worked directly with sister company 3 Ball Productions to develop domestic and international concepts. Developed thirteen projects for domestic and international sales, and produced all presentations/pilots for sales. Supervising Producer for a major documentary produced for the Eyeworks UK division that aired around the world.

Director of Development at CBS Television Distribution

October 2003 - October 2008

Developed and oversaw the production of two game show format pilots for primetime and syndication, as well as new talk projects for 2009. Staffed, developed and launched two syndicated talk shows: Rachael Ray, which became the most successful new syndicated show of the 2006-2007 season, and The Doctors, which became the most successful talk show launch of the 2008-2009 season. Developed and piloted primetime, cable and syndicated programs including talk, reality, game, magazine and other unscripted formats. Took pitches and general meetings, tracked competitive development, and maintained format and producer lists and libraries. Was the lead executive on talent recommendations for programs; performed frequent searches for hosts, experts and personalities for pilots and guest appearances and developed shows around talent.

Manager of Development and Talent at Telepictures

October 2000 - July 2003

Developed and piloted numerous primetime, cable and syndicated programs including reality, relationship, talk, game, court, magazine, and other hybrid unscripted formats, including involvement in The Ellen DeGeneres Show and the Bachelor/Bachelorette primetime series. Regularly took pitches and general meetings, tracked competitive development, maintained foreign and domestic format and producer lists and libraries. Frequently pitched original ideas to the company. Maintained the talent department, library and database; performed frequent searches for hosts, experts and personalities for pilots and guest appearances, and developed shows around talent.

Supervisor, Alternative Series & Specials/Coordinator of Casting at ABC

November 1997 - October 2000

Network Executive on the series Whose Line Is It Anyway?, Making the Band, and Politically Incorrect Booked all series and specials; took, developed & tracked pitches & submissions, maintained internal and external status reports, competitive development reports and foreign and domestic producer/format lists and libraries. Oversaw development and production of specials, including The ALMA Awards and America's Funniest Home Videos. Oversaw all phases of daily Casting Department operations, including network pilot session coordination. Directly involved in overseeing casting decisions made for the Alternative Series and Specials Dept., including hiring Regis Philbin for Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? and hosts for specials, awards and clip-based shows.

University of Nevada, Reno

1990 – 1994

Bachelors Degree, Magna Cum Laude

Concentration: English, Creative Writing

All aspects of the entertainment industries, including film, digital, music videos and publishing. Member of the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.