EXCLUSIVE: Barry Poznick, who oversees unscripted television for Amazon MGM Studios, which produces series including The Voice and Survivor, is exiting the company.
Deadline understands that Poznick is departing after nearly 10 years at MGM, which was acquired by tech giant Amazon in 2022.
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Poznick, who was General Manager of Unscripted Television at Amazon MGM Studios, has signed a three-year deal to remain as executive producer on a number of projects. He has a first-look production deal meaning he will continue to work on The Voice, Shark Tank, Vanderpump Rules and American Gladiators as well as The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, The Real Housewives of Rhode Island and The Real Housewives of Orange County.
He is the latest unscripted executive at Amazon to leave their role this year following Lauren Anderson’s full-time move to the brand side of the company.
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It comes after former Netflix exec Peter Friedlander was named Head of Global Television, Amazon MGM Studios earlier this year.
It is also the latest change for Amazon MGM Studios’ alternative business. MGM Alternative TV was brought under the purview of Amazon MGM Studios in September. That move put it under the leadership of Friedlander, along with the rest of the studios business.
Amazon MGM Studios is behind tentpole series The Voice, Survivor and Shark Tank as well as reality series such as The Real Housewives franchise and On Patrol: Live, which is in its fourth season on Reelz with over 300 episodes produced. The latter two come from Evolution Media and Big Fish Entertainment, respectively, which MGM Alternative TV owns.
Evolution Media produces The Real Housewives of Orange County and The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills as well as Vanderpump Rules and E!’s Botched.
Big Fish Entertainment is also behind History’s Greatest Mysteries, HGTV’s Ugliest House in America and TLC’s Seeking Brother Husband.
Both companies are run by Lucilla D’Agostino, who reported to Poznick. Deadline understands that D’Agostino, who is remaining in her role, will now report to Friedlander.
Kitty Gambel, who is SVP, Unscripted and Alternative TV, is also continuing in her role and will similarly report to Friedlander. Gambel is behind series including Are You Smarter than a Celebrity, which was hosted by Travis Kelce, Wish List Games hosted by Nick Cannon and Lele Pons, and the American Gladiators reboot.
Poznick also helped launch an international TV division, led by former Channel 4 executive Dom Bird in London. Bird will report to Gambel, as will Justin Dudek, who oversees physical production.
Poznick joined MGM in 2016 as President of Alternative Television, working for then Worldwide Television Group Chairman Mark Burnett. He moved into the GM role after Amazon acquired MGM and has helped launch shows including Are Your Smarter Than a Celebrity, 007: Road to a Million, hosted by Brian Cox, and American Gladiators.
Poznick was a key lieutenant of former MGM boss Mark Burnett, having worked with him since 2006’s Fox series Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?, which Poznick created with a little help from his wife.
He has overseen MGM’s slate of unscripted programming since 2016 and in 2019 was promoted to oversee sports entertainment, premium documentaries and true crime as well as Orion TV, which was folded into MGM US Scripted TV.
Poznick got his break as a production assistant on Sally Jesse Raphael. Other shows he has exec produced include Fox’s Beat Shazam, World’s Toughest Race: Eco Challenge and ABC’s Generation Gap.
From Peter Friedlander, Head of Global Television, Amazon MGM Studios:
I’m pleased to share some exciting news about Barry Poznick, who has served as Head of MGM Alternative for nearly a decade.
Beginning January 1, 2026, Barry will transition into a new, multi-year production deal with Amazon MGM Studios, serving as an Executive Producer overseeing the division’s flagship franchises.
Barry joined MGM in 2016 and became an integral part of the Amazon team following our acquisition. Throughout his tenure, he has been a transformative force in unscripted entertainment with oversight on shows like The Voice, Survivor, Shark Tank, Real Housewives, On Patrol Live, 007: Road to a Million, and many more. His exceptional ability to both create and scale hit shows has been instrumental in consistently delivering compelling programming that resonates with audiences worldwide. His deep understanding of global formats and proven track record producing top-rated shows makes this transition a natural evolution of his celebrated career in entertainment.
I want to assure you that our strong leadership team remains intact in the MGM Unscripted organization. Lucilla D’Agostino and Kitty Gamble will continue to lead the creative development, Justin Dudek will continue to lead physical production, and Ryan Singer and Tony Borbagiovanni will continue in their roles, providing continuity in our creative vision and operational excellence.
We are delighted that Barry will maintain his relationship with Amazon through a producer deal, allowing us to continue our prosperous partnership.