Surprising Reality: Craig Piligian to Depart from Lionsgate

In a notable development in the unscripted television world, Craig Piligian, a longstanding figure in reality TV, is departing from Lionsgate Alternative Television and Pilgrim Media Group. His exit comes as a surprise given his decades-long influence in shaping the genre, starting from the mid-1990s.

Piligian, who served as managing director of Lionsgate Alternative Television, will remain with the company through the end of the year, continuing to consult and executive produce select projects. He had sold his remaining stake in Pilgrim Media Group to Lionsgate last year, after previously selling a majority stake in 2015 for approximately $200 million. In 2021, his contract was renewed, expanding his oversight to include the studios unscripted division, which was later rebranded as Lionsgate Alternative Television following the eOne acquisition.

Beginning his career as an assignment editor at Las Vegas KTNV, Piligian transitioned to production in 1991, contributing to syndicated series such as Emergency Call and Real Stories of the Highway Patrol. He founded Pilgrim Films & Television in 1997, with early projects including Discoverys Inside The CIA. His breakthrough came with CBSs Survivor, where he co-executive produced the first season and produced the following two seasons, cementing his influence in U.S. reality television.

Over the years, Piligian produced numerous hit series, including American Chopper, Ghost Hunters, Dirty Jobs, and The Ultimate Fighter, which earned him a place in the UFC Hall of Fame. Other credits include Wicked Tuna, Fast N Loud, The Ultimate Surfer, Lindsay, Swamp Pawn, Kocktails with Khlo, and Martin Scorsese Presents: The Saints. Lionsgate Alternative Television also produced Naked and Afraid, Netflixs Killer Inside: The Mind of Aaron Hernandez, and MTVs Ex on the Beach.

Piligians departure coincides with a challenging period for unscripted television, as Lionsgate CEO Jon Feltheimer previously noted that the division is feeling the effects of a continuing market correction. While Piligians next steps remain uncertain, industry insiders suggest he could launch another television venture.

Leadership changes will see Tom Huffman, Nicholas Caprio, and Geno McDermott reporting to Kevin Beggs, Chair and Chief Creative Officer of Lionsgate Television Group. Feltheimer praised Piligians contributions: Craig helped us build our brand in the unscripted space, guided us through the pandemic, and assisted with the eOne acquisition. Hes a good friend and a great entrepreneur, and we look forward to continuing to work closely with him as a consultant and producer on a number of unscripted series.

Author: Harper Simmons