FremantleMedia North America eyes Thom Beers as g.m.

By Cynthia Littleton and AJ Marechal

EXCLUSIVE

Producer Thom Beers may be headed to the exec suite at FremantleMedia North America.

Sources say the veteran reality producer is in line to become general manager of Fremantle's Burbank-based U.S. outpost, home to "American Idol," "The X Factor," "America's Got Talent," "The Price Is Right" and other shows. FremantleMedia acquired a majority stake in Beers' Original Prods. in 2009.

Sources familiar with the situation cautioned that Beers' appointment is not yet a done deal. Reps for Fremantle and Beers declined comment.

An exec post for Beers would fill a void at the company that opened in April, when former FremantleMedia CEO Cecile Frot-Coutaz was recruited back to London to run the entire Fremantle operation.

The specifics are still murky but it's expected that Beers would focus on the creative side of the business. Industry observers note that FremantleMedia North America has an experienced chief operating officer in Donna RedierLinsk.

Beers is one of the reality biz's most successful entrepreneurs, having built Original into a powerhouse player with such distinctive shows as Discovery Channel's "Deadliest Catch," History's "Ice Road Truckers" and "Ax Men" and his latest hit, A&E Network's "Storage Wars."